Girls #RGVHoops Top 10 for the week of 2.12.15
Rank/Team Rec. Pre.
1, PSJA North 29.-4 3
2, Weslaco High 30-5 1
3, Harlingen High 30-3 2
4, Brownsville Veterans 26-8 4
5, Edinburg Vela 24-8 5
6, McAllen Rowe 22-13 7
7, Mission Veterans 21-12 NR
8, Roma 21-12 NR
9, Sharyland High 21-13 NR
10, Lyford 27-16 10
Valley’s Best and Mythical Standings for the week of March 18, 2015
Boys
Team standings — 1, Sharyland High, 87.5; 2, Los Fresnos, 58; 3, McAllen Memorial 57; 4, Harlingen South, 44; 5, Edinburg Vela, 41; 6, San Benito, 38; 7, Donna High, 35; 8, Weslaco East, 34; 9, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 26; 10, La Joya Palmview, 25.
Field Events
Shot Put – 1, Anthony Esparza, McAllen Memorial, 54-8.5; 2,Mike Zuniga, Rio Hondo, 54-1; 3, John Belmarez, San Benito, 52-7.5; 4, Johnny Howell, Sharyland Pioneer, 49-8; 5, Brandon Cardenas, Donna High, 49-6; 6, Edward Pequeno, McAllen Memorial, 49-1.
Discus — 1, Angel Espinoza, Brownsville Rivera, 180-8; 2, Edward Pequeno, McAllen Memorial, 163-3; 3, Mike Zuniga, Rio Hondo, 156-1; 4, Cesar Villegas, Donna High, 154-8; 5, Lucas Rios, McAllen Emorial, 154-2; 6, Gilbert Castro, Progreso, 153-9.
Long jump — 1, Sean Landez, Sharyland High, 22-4; 2, Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 22-1.5; 3, Ciro Hernandez, PSJA North, 21-6; 4, Roel Garcia, Mercedes, 21-4.5; 5, Trevor Speights, McAllen Memorial, 21-1; 6, Felipe Flores, Browsnville Veterans, 21-0.
Triple jump — 1, Pete Perez, Los Fresnos, 43-1.75; 2, Carlos Barrera, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 42-11; 3, Isiah Martinez, La Feria, 42-11; 4, Dominick Castillo, Donna North, 42-9; 5, Hector Boswuez, McAllen Rowe, 42-3; 6, Mark Reyna, IDEA Quest, 42-3.
High jump — 1, Brendon Rivera, Edinburg Vela, 6-10; 2, Diego Martinez, Sharyland High, 6-2; 3, Victor Bocanegra, La Joya Palmview, 6-2; 4, Robert Rosales, Valley View, 6-1; 5, Anthony Garza, Weslaco High, 6-0; 6, Kris Marroquin, Weslaco High, 6-0; 6, Adrian Morales, Harlingen South, 6-0; 6, Christian Garza, PSJA Memorial, 6-0.
Pole vault — 1, Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 14-6; 2, Jose Garcia, Mission High, 14-0; 3, Derek Salazar, Rio Hondo, 14-0; 4, Albreto Villarreal, Harlingen South, 14-0; 5, Seth Carter, Sharyland High, 13-6; 6, Marcos Carrizales, Rio Hondo, 13-6.
Running Events
* denotes fully automatic time
100-meter dash — 1, James Cole, Sharyland High, 10.86*; 2, Christian Perales, Los Fresnos, 10.94*; 3, Gabe Vasquez, San Benito, 10.99*; 4, Sean Landez, Sharyland High, 11.03*; 5, Adrian Rodriguez, McAllen High, 11.04*; 6, Rodrigo Vega, Donna High, 11.04*.
200-meter dash — 1, James Cole, Sharyland High, 22.24*; 2, Christopher Rosales, Harlingen High, 22.29*; 3, Sean Landez, Sharyland High, 22.52*; 4, Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 22.54*; 5, Mike Medellin, Edinburg Economedes, 22.62*; 6, Jose Torres, PSJA North, 22.64*.
400-meter dash — 1, Sean Landez, Sharyland High, 49.46; 2, Christopher Montemayor, Harlingen High, 50.09*; 3, Marcos Medina, Harlingen High, 50.28*; 4, Rigo Cedillo, Lyford, 50.50; 5, Alec Garcia, Sharyland Pioneer, 50.52; 6, Ryan Benavides, Harlingen South, 50.79*.
800-meter run — 1, Jesus Mata, Mission Veterans, 1:54.61; 2, Ricardo Mendoza La Joya High School, 1:55.48; 3, Carlos Rodriguez, La Feria, 1:56.30; 4, Oser Rodriguez, Harlingen High, 1:56.93*; 5, Victor Munoz, PSJA Memorial, 1:57.13; 6, Michel Lara, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 1:57.37.
1600-meter run — 1, Adam Herrera, Edinburg Vela, 4:25.75; 2, Eliseo Rodriguez, La Joya Palmview, 4:25.80; 3, Victor Pedraza, PSJA Southwest, 4:27.37; 4, Michel Lara, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 4:28.74; 5, Joshua Perez, Donna North, 4:28.97; 6, Anthony Garza, Brownsville Rivera, 4:29.02*.
3200-meter run — 1, GJ Reyna, Mission Veterans, 9:36.75; 2, Jose Aleman, Sharyland Pioneer, 9:35.24; 3, Eliseo Rodriguez, La Joya Palmview, 9:36.75; 4, Victor Pedraza, PSJA Southwest, 9:39.05; 5, Albert Herrera, Weslaco East, 9:39.81; 6, Adam Herrera, Edinburg Vela, 9:41.02.
110-meter hurdles — 1, Vince Castillo, Donna High, 14.22; 2, Marcus Pena, Sharyland High, 14.79*; 3, JR Villarreal, Weslaco East, 15.60*; 4, Tristian Myerede, La Joya Palmview, 15.64*; 5, Tristan Guerra, Sharyland Pioneer, 15.74*; 6, Alan Martinez, Mission High, 15.74*.
300-meter hurdles — 1, Vince Castillo, Donna High School, 38.40; 2, Jorge Cantu, Can Benito, 39.53; 3, Omar Silva, Port Isabel, 40.10; 4, Mark Garcia, Mission High, 40.16; 5, JR Villarreal, Weslaco East, 40.54; 6, Rene Pecina, La Joya Palmview, 40.62.
400-meter relay — 1, Los Fresnos, 42.81; 2, Weslaco East, 42.96; 3, McAllen Memorial, 43.35; 4, Donna High, 43.59*; 5, Mercedes, 43.62*; 6, San Benito, 43.74*.
800-meter relay — 1, Los Fresnos, 1:30.17; 2, San Benito, 1:30.43; 3, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 1:30.67; 4, Weslaco East, 1:31.11*; 5, Edinburg Vela, 1:31.64*; 6, Mercedes, 1:31.79*.
1600-meter relay — 1, Sharyland High, 3:23.96; 2, Edinburg Vela, 3:23.99; 3, Harlingen High, 3:24.24*; 4, La Feria, 3:25.33; 5, Sharyland Pioneer, 3:25.64; 6, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 3:27.54.
Girls
Team standings — 1, Sharyland Pioneer, 88, 2, Weslaco High, 73; 3, Harlingen South, 59; 4, Los Fresnos, 50; 5, Brownsville St. Joseph, 45; 6, Port Isabel, 36; 7, Edinburg High, 30; 8, McAllen Rowe, 29; 9, Edinburg North, 28; 10, Edcouch-Elsa, 23.5.
Field Events
Shot put — 1, Nora Monie, Sharyland Pioneer, 45- 3.5; 2, Daniela Murchison, Port Isabel, 44-4; 3, Brittany Vielma, PSJA Southwest, 40-11; 4, Valeria Granados, Los Fresnos, 38-5.5; 5, Maisie Trevino, Edinburg Economedes, 38.05; 6, Clarissa Chavez, Brownsville Veterans, 37-11.
Discus — 1, Nora Monie, Sharyland Pioneer, 140-10; 2, Clarissa Chavez, Brownsville Veterans, 134-9; 3, Daniela Murchison, Port Isabel, 134-7; 4, Brittany Vielna, PSJA Southwest, 127-7; 5, Malaya Pistokache, Sharyland Pioneer, 121-11; 6, Karen Guerra, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 119-2.
Long jump — 1, Cierra Pena, Harlingen South, 18-4.5; 2, Gabby Torres, Port Isbabel, 17-10.5; 3, Jaleah Calvillo, Los Fresnos, 17-3.5; 4, Jacklynn Flores, Mercedes, 17-0.75; 5, Jiovanni Solis, McAllen Rowe, 16-11; 6, I’Dasha Sorrell, Donna North, 16-10.5.
Triple jump — 1, Abriana Saenz, Edinburg North, 37-4; 2, Jaleah Calvillo, Los Fresnos, 37-1; 3, Jacklynn Flores, Mercedes, 35-7.25; 4, Celeste Elizondo, Grulla, 34-9; 5, Malory Raad, McAllen High, 34-4.5; 6, Mayda Garcia, McAllen Rowe, 34-1.
High jump — 1, Joan Cepeda, PSJA Memorial, 5-4; 2, Gabby Torres, Port Isabel, 5-4; 3, Jaleah Valvillo, Los Fresnos, 5-4; 4, Maria Avila, Brownsville Pace, 5-2; 5, Eleanor Arndt, Weslaco High, 5-2; 6, Six tied at 5-0.
Pole vault — 1, Megan Lopez, Brownsville St. Joseph, 10-6; 2, Sydney Salinas, Weslaco High, 10-0; 3, Marifera Valencia, Brownsville St. Joseph, 9-6; 4, Aaryn Martinez, Mission Veterans, 9-6; 5, Carolina Carrillo, PSJA North, 9-0; 6, Crystal Hernandez, Edcouch-Elsa, 9-0.
Running Events
* denotes fully automatic time
100-meter dash — 1, Cierra Pena, Harlingen South, 11.86; 2, Valerie Mancha, PSJA High, 11.98; 3, I’Dasha Sorrell, Donna North, 12.08; 4, Valeria Banda, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 12.38; 5, Caitlyn Alaniz, Weslaco East, 12.94*; 6, Yasmine Martinez, Harlingen High, 13.02*.
200-meter dash — 1, Cierra Pena, Harlingen South, 25.18; 2, Gaby Garza, Brownsville St. Joseph, 26.01*; 3, Rebeca Martinez, Sharyland Pioneer, 26.21; 4, Valerie Mancha, PSJA High, 26.30; 5, Mia Hinojosa, La Joya Palmview, 26.37; 6, Nicole Gonzalez, Harlingen South, 26.71.
400-meter dash — 1, Vallery Tobias, IDEA Quest, 58.94; 2, Nicole Gonzalez, Harlingen South, 59.29*; 3, Angela Villarreal, Weslaco High, 59.30*; 4, Cierra Pena, Harlingen South, 59.49*; 5, Gaby Garza, Brownsville St. Joseph, 60.0; 6, Mallory Raad, McAllen High, 60.32.
800-meter run — 1, Kyrsta Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 2:15.18; 2, Alexandria Cruz, Edinbug High, 2:15.41; 3, Vallery Tobias, IDEA Quest, 2:18.00; 4, Adriana Cruz, Rio Grande City, 2:18.07; 5, Violet Torres, PSJA Memorial, 2:21.02; 6, Yvonne Sanchez, Donna High, 2:23.18*.
1600-meter run — 1, Alexandria Cruz, Edinburg High, 4:59.85; 2, Krysta Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 5:07.40*; 3, Beth Ramos, Edinburg North, 5:11.46*; 4, Adriana Cruz, Rio Grande City, 5:21.07; 5, Lizette Chapa, Sharyland Pioneer, 5:24.0; 6, Brianna Robles, La Joya Palmview, 5:24.18.
3200-meter run — 1, Beth Ramos, Edinburg North, 10:50.89; 2, Alexandria Cruz, 11:14.45; 3, LIzette Chapa, Sharyland Pioneer, 11:32.90; 4, Krysta Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 11:34.46; 5, Brianna Robels, La Joya Palmview, 11:44.52; 6, Ana Ochoa, Edinburg Economedes, 11:59.83.
100-meter hurdles — 1, Gaby Garza, Brownsville St. Joseph, 14.96*; 2, Jaleah Calvillo, Los Fresnos, 15.27; 3, Gabby Torres, Port Isabel, 15.81*; 4, Maria Avila, Brownsville Pace, 16.44*; 5, Jennifer Pena, Sharyland High, 16.64*; 6, Olivia Garcia, Edinburg Vela, 16.64.
300-meter hurdles — 1, Gaby Garza, Brownsville St. Joseph, 44.87; 2, Alyssa DeLeon, Weslaco High, 46.08*; 3, Thanya Garza, McAllen Memorial, 47.51*; 4, Kailah Reyes, San Benito, 47.60; 5, Brittany Cano, La Joya Palmview, 48.20; 6, Skylar Hernandez, McAllen High, 48.71.
400-meter relay — 1, Sharyland Pioneer, 49.84; 2, Harlingen South, 50.10; 3, Los Fresnos, 50.77*; 4, Weslaco High, 50.84*; 5, McAllen Memorial, 50.85; 6, McAllen Rowe, 50.91.
800-meter relay — 1, Weslaco High, 1:46.09*; 2, Sharyland Pioneer, 1:46.74; 3, McAllen Rowe, 1:47.71; 4, Mission Veterans, 1:48.96; 5, Los Fresnos, 1:49.25; 6, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 1:49.27.
1600-meter relay — 1, Weslaco High, 4:05.69*; 2, Sharyland Pioneer, 4:05.74; 3, McAllen Rowe, 4:07.28; 4, McAllen Memorial, 4:07.34; 5, Edinburg High, 4:08.90; 6, Edinburg North, 4:10.49.
BY JON R. LAFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
Nora Monie took home two gold medals last week in the Patriot Relays at Mission Veterans High School. The Sharyland Pioneer senior threw for 139 feet, 6 inches in the discus and 40-4 in the shot put. So dominating was her display, she out-threw second place in each event by more than 25 feet combined.
How did Monie evaluate her performance?
“Not too good,” she said. “I was expecting to be better.”
The 17-year-old was so disappointed, she punished herself by spending part of her Sunday repeatedly hurling the sleek discs and cumbersome stones associated with each sport into the air, all in an effort to gain that extra inch.
“I set goals for myself,” Monie said. “I just want to (set a personal record) every meet.”
Monie’s personal bests this season double as benchmarks for the entire Valley. She holds the Valley’s best distance in the discus (140-10) and shot put (45-3 1/2) and is the most formidable athlete in girls throwing events.
“She’s got a strong lower body,” throwing coach Larry Howell said. “People think throwing is up in the arms. It’s all in the legs.”
Howell, an Ohio native, has coached in the Rio Grande Valley for 27 years and serves as a track consultant for several area schools. One reason for Monie’s success has been a throwing method imparted by Howell. Where the traditional starting stance finds most throwers with their back to the field, Monie’s stance is turned 90 degrees to the right.
“We call it ‘The 360,’” Howell said. “She spins all the way around twice and then she goes. Not too many kids around here can do it. She’s the only one I’ve seen. It adds power to the throw.”
Though Howell instructs Monie and others on the technical aspects of the sport, his oft-repeated motto simplifies the method to the madness.
“Coach says ‘When you think, you stink,” she said. “It’s true. Whenever I think too much about what I’m doing, I don’t do that well. I just go out there and throw.”
Monie started throwing in the eighth grade and was already familiar with the sport through her older sister. She also had friends who competed and took up field events on a whim.
“I was more into volleyball,” Monie said. “Track was just something I did for fun for awhile.”
Monie competed for Sharyland High School before moving to Pioneer this year. The Diamondbacks, a first-year program, only have 14 athletes on the girls team. Despite its small roster, Pioneer is already morphing into a powerhouse program. The team cruised to a win at the Patriot Relays, the latest in a string of first place finishes, and sports several competitors among the Valley’s Best – including Lizette Chapa (3200-meter run) and Rebeca Martinez (200-meter dash).
“I didn’t think we would be this good,” Monie said. “I knew we could do something with all of our talents. It was just to make sure everyone was going to be focused and starting a new tradition.”
Weslaco Mid-Valley Classic
Bobby Lackey Stadium
Friday, March 13
Boys
Team Standings — 1, Weslaco East, 140; 2, Mercedes, 124; 3, Harlingen High, 103.33; 4, Edcouch-Elsa, 92; 5, Harlingen South, 86.33; 6, Weslaco High 73.33.
Field Events
High jump — 1, Anthony Garza, Weslaco High, 6-0; 1, Adrian Moralez, Harlingen South, 6-0; 3, Adrian Rodriguez, Edouch-Elsa, 5-10; 3, Kris Marroquin, Weslsaco High, 5-10; 5, Alex Seugra, Edcouch-Elsa, 5-8; 6, Marco Castellanos, Harlingen South, 5-6.
Pole vault — 1, Alberto Villarreal, Harlingen High, 14-0; 2, Ishmael Villeda, Weslaco High, 13-0; 3, Mathew Garcia, Mercedes, 12-6; 3, Vance Ellis, Weslaco, 5, Jon Zapata, Weslaco High, 12-0; 5, Marcus Ramirez, Harlingen South, 12-0; Rolando Garcia, Harlingen South, 12-0; 5, Jon Zapata, Weslaco High, 12-0.
Long jump — 1, Roel Garcia, Mercedes, 21-4; 2, Alex Segura, Edcouch-Elsa, 20-7; 3, Anthony Garza, Weslaco, 20-4; 4, Lupe Moron, Weslaco East, 19-9.5; 5, Ruben Rivera, Donna High, 19-7.5; 6, Adrian Morales, Harlingen South, 19-7.5.
Triple jump — 1, Zach Gomez, Mercedes 42-01; 2, Christopher Charles, Weslaco East, 40-11.5; 3, Ruben Rivera, Donna High, 40-7.5; 4, Alex Segura, Edcouch-Elsa, 10-6.5; 5, Roel Garcia, Mercedes, 40-1; 6, Eric Gonazlez, Weslaco High, 39-10.
Shot put — 1, Brandon Cardenas, Donna High, 49-6; 2, Travis Barnes, Harlingen High, 48-6; 3, Rene Perez, Weslaco High, 45-5.5; 4, Gabriel Armendariz, Edcouch-Elsa, 45-0; 5, Aday Away, Harlingen South, 44-0; 6, Santos Garcia, Weslaco East, 43-0.
Discus — 1, Cesar Villegas, Donna High, 154-8; 2, Abel Villarreal, Harlingen South, 148-4; 3, Amonte Bowen, Donna High, 143-0; 4, Jesus Tinajero, Edcouch-Elsa, 141-4; 5, Gilbert Castro, Progreso, 140-7; 6, Gabriel Armendariz, Edcouch-Elsa, 139-8.5.
Running Events
100-meter dash — 1, Lupe Moron, Weslaco East, 11.45; 2, Andrew Segura, Edcouch-Elsa, 11.66; 3, Eric Gonzalez, Weslaco High, 11.71; 4, Rodrigo Vega, Donna High, 11.73; 5, Darren Perez, Harlingen South, 11.91; 6, Paul Guerra, Donna High, 11.82.
200-meter dash — 1, Christopher Rosales, Harlingen High, 22.29; 2, Sergio Murillo, Weslaco High, 22.76; 3, Victor Romero, Edcouch-Elsa, 23.14; 4, Justin Medina, Edcouch-Elsa, 23.47; 5, Tristan Gutierrez, Mercedes, 23.46.
400-meter dash — 1, Christopher Montemayor, Harlingen, 50.09; 2, Marcos Medina, Harlingen High, 50.28; 3, Ryan Benavides, Harlingen South, 50.79; 4, Adrian Rodriguez, Edcouch-Elsa, 51.92; 5, Fabricio Quintanilla, Mercedes, 52.07; 6, Abraham Villafranca, Harlingen South, 52.34.
100-meter wheelchair run — 1, Joe Solis, Weslaco High, 20.55.
400-meter wheelchair run — 1, Joe Solis, Weslaco High, 1:18.40.
800-meter run — 1, Orser Rodriguez, Harlingen High, 1:56.93; 2, Lorenzo Castaneda, Harlingen High, 1:57.95; 3, Manuel Gonzalez, Mercedes, 1:59.79; 4, Andrew Martinez, Harlingen South, 2:01.00; 5, Mike Lazo, Weslaco East, 2:01.92; 6, Jayven Corodova, Weslaco East, 2:02.71.
1600-meter run — 1, Jayven Cordova, Weslaco East, 4:29.30; 2, Albert Herrera, Weslaco East, 4:29.66; 3, Manual Gonzalez, Mercedes, 4:33.07; 4, Orser Rodriguez, Harlingen High, 4:36.39; 5, Francisco Morales, Donna High, 4:38.65; 6, David De Hoys, Harlingen High, 4:36.39.
3200-meter run — 1, Joshua Perez, Donna North, 9:52.17; 2, Jonathan Reyes, Mercedes, 9:53.19; 3, Dominc Cavazos, Mercedes, 9:59.43; 4, Albert Herrera, Weslaco East, 10:04.80; 5, David De Hoyos, Edcouch-Elsa, 10:06.72; 6, Erik Doria, Edcouch-Elsa, 10:20.72.
110-meter hurdles — 1, JR Villarreal, Weslaco East, 16.71; 2, Robert Little, Mercedes, 16.74; 3, Joey Torres, Harlingen South, 16.90; 4, Edwin Sanchez, Harlingen High, 17.19; 5, Jesse Castro, Harlingen High, 17.32; 6, Marcus Lopez, Harlingen High, 17.50.
300-meter hurdles — 1, JR Villarreal, Weslaco East, 16.71; 2, Joey Torres, Harlingen South, 42.25; 3, Marco Aguinaga, Edcouch-Elsa, 43.11; 4, Edwin Sanchez, Harlingen High, 43.22; 5, Joel Gomez, Mercedes, 43.38; 6, Robert Little, Mercedes, 43.84.
4×100-meter relay — 1, Weslaco East, 43.41; 2, Mercedes, 43.62; 3, Edcouch-Elsa, 44.19; 4, Donna High, 44.38; 5, Harlingen South, 44.39; 6, Weslaco High, 44.44.
4×200-meter relay — 1, Weslaco East, 1:31.11; Mercedes, 1:31.79; 3, Harlingen South, 1:32.17; 4, Edcouch-Elsa, 1:32.93; 5, Weslaco High, 1:34.50; 6, Harlingen High, 1:36.99.
4×400-meter relay — 1, Harlingen High, 3:24.24; 2, Harlingen South, 3:29.23; 3, Weslaco East, 3:29.55; 4, Edcouch-Elsa, 1:32.93; 5, Weslaco, 3:24.25; 6, Donna North, 3:35.65.
4×800-meter relay — 1, Weslaco East, 8:19.12; 2, Mercedes, 8:35.46; 3, Edcouch-Elsa, 8:43.06; 4, Weslaco, 8:45.77; 5, Harlingen South, 8:49.86; 6, Harlingen High, 8:59.96.
Girls
Team Standings — 1, Weslaco, 218; 2, Harlingen South, 119; 3, Edcouch-Elsa, 91.50; 4, Weslaco East, 80.50; 5, Mercedes 52; 6, Donna High, 43.
Field Events
High jump — 1, Eleanor Arndt, Weslaco High, 5-02; 2, Gabriella Garza, Weslaco High, 4-10; 3, Daniella Burget, Weslaco East, 4-10; 4, Brooklyn Santellana, Harlingen South, 4-10; 5, Annella Rodriguez, Harlingen South, 4-08; 6, Zyra Garcia, Mercedes, 4-06.
Pole vault — 1, Sydney Salinas, Weslaco High, 10-0; 2, Andrea Villegas, Weslaco High, 8-06; 3, Gabriella Garza, Weslaco High, 8-06; 4, Mikaela Flores, Harlingen South, 7-06; 4, Briana Alvarado, Edcouch-Elsa, 7-06; 6, Jada Benavides, Mercedes, 7-0.
Long jump — 1, Jacklynn Flores, Mercedes, 17-0.75; 2, Angela Villarreal, Weslaco High, 16-9; 3, I’Dasha Sorrell, Donna North, 16-7.75; 4, Eleanor Arndt, Weslaco High, 15-2.25; 5, Jacqueline Garza, Weslaco High, 14-7.5; 6, Evelyn Del Leon, Donna North, 14-03.5.
Triple jump — 1, Jacklyn Flores, Mercedes, 35-3.25; 2, Angela Villarreal, Weslaco High, 34-0.25; 3, Shana Alverado, Edcouch-Elsa, 33-01; 4, Brianna Pena, Weslaco High, 31-8.75; 5, Danielle Rodriguez, Harlingen South, 29-10.75.
Shot put — 1, Faith Olszak, Weslaco East, 36-2; 2, Sarah De Leon, Donna High, 35-9; 3, Samantha Pena, Donna North, 34-1; 4, Yvette Tamez, Donna High, 32-4; 5, Sarahi Gayton, Edcouch-Elsa, 30-3.5; 6, Alinah Rodriguez, Edcouch-Elsa, 30-2.5.
Discus — 1, Briana Gonzalez, Weslaco High, 118-3; 2, Ciera Gonzalez, Weslaoc High, 100-8; 3, Yvette Tamez, Donna High 100-6; 4, Samantha Alaniz, Harlingen High, 94-08; 5, Faith Olszak, Weslaco East, 90-8; 6, Alinah Rodriguez, Edcouch-Elsa, 90-8.
Running Events
100-meter dash — 1, Cierra Pena, Harlingen South, 12.37; 2, I’Dasha Sorrell, Donna North, 13.05; 3, Caitlin Alaniz, Weslaco East, 13.07; 4, Elida Hernandez, Weslaco High, 13.39; 5, Karina Quintanilla, Harlingen South, 13.60; 6, Sydney Salinas, Weslaco High, 13.71.
200-meter dash — 1, Cierra Pena, Harlingen South, 26.05; 2, Caitlin Alaniz, Weslaco East, 27.11; 3, Emily Velasquez, Harlingen South, 27.52; 4, Elida Hernandez, Weslaco High, 28.44; 5, Marina Martinez, Donna High, 28.24; 6, Chantel Barrera, Weslaco High, 28.44.
400-meter dash — 1, Nicole Gonzalez, Harlingen South, 59.29; 2, Angela Villarreal, Weslaco High, 59.30; 3, Kelly Aguinaga, Edcouch-Elsa, 1:02.84; 4, Jarin Pena, Weslaco High, 1:04.45; 5, Gabriella Garza, Weslaco High, 1:03.62; 6, Marina Martinez, Donna High 1:04.45.
800-meter run — 1, Krysta Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 2:17.27; 2, Yvonne Sanchez, Donna High, 2:23.18; 3, Kelly Aguinaga, Edcouch-Elsa, 2:29.00; 4, Devin Sanchez, Harlingen High, 2:31.95; 5, Madeline Gonzalez, Mercedes, 2:38.77; 6, Kayla Huerta, Weslaco East, 2:42.12.
1600-meter run — 1, Krysta Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 5:07.40; 2, Araceli Salas, Edcouch-Elsa, 5:35.49; 3, Yvonne Sanchez, Donna High, 5:38.61; 4, Monic Izaguirre, Mercedes, 5:39.18; 5, Leslie Alvarado, Edcouch-Elsa, 5:51.69; 6, Mya Price, Harlingen South, 5:53.52.
3200-meter run — 1, Leslie Alvarado, Edcouch-Elsa, 12:21.86; 2, Mya Price, Harlingen South, 12:29.16; 3, Araceli Salas, Edcouch-Elsa, 12:39.70; 4, Justeen Cantu, Weslaco East, 12:59.53; 5, Crystal Lopez, Harlingen High, 13:01.21; 6, Monic Izaguirre, Mercedes, 13:16.95.
100-meter hurdles — 1, Esperanza Pedraza, Weslaco High, 17.85; 2, Dalila Sanchez, Donna North, 17.90; 3, Lauren Martinez, Mercedes, 18.28; 4, Alyssa Flores, Weslaco East, 18.52; 5, Danielle Rodriguez, Harlingen South, 18.64; 6, Marissa Lopez, Mercedes, 18.68.
300-meter hurdles — 1, Alyssa DeLeon, Weslaco, 47.16; 2, Esperanza Pedraza, Weslaco, 49.45; 3, Sonia Quintana, Harlingen South, 52.49; 4, Brooklyn Santellana, Harlingen South, 53.52; 5, Dalila Sanchez, Donna North, 53.81; 6, Alayna Villarreal, Harlingen South, 54.56.
4×100-meter relay — 1, Weslaco high, 50.84; 2, Harlingen South, 50.85; 3, Weslaco East, 51.64; 4, Mercedes, 52.46; 5, Edcouch-Elsa, 53.25.
4×200-meter relay — 1, Weslaco High, 1:46.09; 2, Harlingen South, 1:49.83; 3, Weslaco East, 1:52.35; 4, Donna High, 1:53.15; 5, Edcouch-Elsa, 1:54.20.
4×400-meter relay — 1, Weslaco High, 4:05.69; 2, Harlingen South, 4:14.83; 3, Edcouch-Elsa, 4:15.34; 4, Mercedes, 4:18.62.
4×800-meter relay — 1, Weslaco High, 10:25.21; 2, Weslaco East, 11:11.43.
Patriot Relays
Mission Veterans High School
Friday, March 13
Boys
Team Standings — 1, Sharyland High, 100; 2, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 92; 3, Sharyland Pioneer, 88; 4, San Benito, 70; 5, Los Fresnos, 59; 6, La Feria, 56.
Field Events
Triple jump — 1, Carlos Barrera, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln; 42-11; 2, Isaiah Martinez, La Feria, 42-11; 3, Pete Perez, Los Fresnos, 40-11; 4, Chaunts Weston, Sharyland Pioneer, 40-10; 5, Martin Baez, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 40-6; 6, Everado Garate, Los Fresnos, 39-9.5.
Long jump — 1, Sean Landez, Sharyland Hihg, 21-2; 2, Julian Trevino, La Feria, 20-0; 3, Armando Torres, La Feria, 19-8.75; 4, Carlos Carrera, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 19-8; 5, Everado garate, Los Fresnos, 19-6.75; 6, Mando Izaguirre, Los Fresnos, 19-5.25.
Discus — 1, Mike Zuniga, Rio Hondo, 156-1; 2, Tanner Trigg, Sharyland Pioneer, 139-8; 3, Jordan DeLeon, Mission Veterans, 139-3; 4, Isiah Zepedea, Los Fresnos, 130-7; 5, Johnny Howell, Sharyland Pioneer, 125-8; 6, Faustino Beltran, Roma, 124-11.
Shot put (wheelchair division) — 1, Zoe Alaniz, Mission Veterans, 11-10.
Shot put — 1, Mike Zuniga, Rio Hondo, 52-10; 2, John Belmares, San Benito, 52-7.5; 3, Johnny Howell, Sharyland Pioneer, 49-7.5; 4, Ricky Espinoza, La Joya Palmview, 48-4; 5, Jordan De Leon, Mission Veterans, 46-3.5; 6, Dillon McGuffin, Rio Grande City, 44-10.5.
High jump — 1, Victor Bocanegra, La Joya Palmview, 6-2; 2, Diego Martinez, Sharyland High, 6-0; 3, Christian Garza, PSJA Memroial, 6-0; 4, Pablo Castro, San Benito, 5-10; 5, Tristan Garcia, Sharyland High, 5-10; 6, Jordan Urbino, Los Fresnos, 5-8.
Pole vault — 1, Derek Salazar, Rio Hondo, 14-0; 2, Jose Garcia, Misison High, 14-0; 3, Marcos Carrizales, Rio Hondo, 13-0; 4, Seth Carter, Sharyland High, 13-0; 5, Luis Trujillo, Mission Veterans, 12-0; 6, Bobby Tovar, Mission Veterans, 11-0.
Running Events
4×800-meter relay — 1, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 8:09.74; 2, Sharyland Pioneer, 8:19.14; 3, La Joya Palmview, 8:22.80; 4, PSJA Memorial, 8:26.61; 5, La Feria, 8:29.01.
3200-meter run — 1, GJ Renya, Mission Veterans, 9:30.72; 2, Jose Aleman, Sharyland Pioneer, 9:35.24; 3, Eliseo Rodriguez, La Joya Palmview, 9:53.79; 4, Rene Guillen, Sharyland High, 9:55.69; 5, Fabian Garcia, Mission Veterans, 10:04.57; 6, Martin Baez, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 10:13.98.
4×100-meter relay — 1, Los Fresnos, 43.52; 2, San Benito, 43.54; 3, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 43.67; 4, Rio Grande City, 43.83; 5, Sharyland High, 44.33; 6, Sharyland Pioneer, 44.56.
800-meter run — 1, Jesus Mata, Mission Veterans, 1:54.61; 2, Ricardo Mendoza, La Joya High, 1:55.48; 3, Carlos Rodirguez, La Feria, 1:56.30; 4, Victor Munoz, PSJA Memorial, 1:57.13; 5, Michel Lara, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 1:57.37; 6, Maurico Hernandez, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 1:58.97.
110-meter hurdles — 1, Tristen Myerde, La Joya Palmview, 15.36; 2, Tristen Garcia, Sharyland High, 15.57; 3, Allan Martinez, Mission High, 15.60; 4, J.D. Alaniz, La Joya Palmview, 15.80; 5, Omar Maghrabi, La Feria, 16.02; 6, Tristen Guerra, Sharyland Pioneer, 16.22.
100-meter dash — 1, James Cole, Sharyland High, 10.64; 2, Christian Perales, Los Fresnos, 10.67; 3, Sean Landez, Sharyland High, 10.87; 4, Daniel Perez, Rio Grande City, 11.09; 5, Jose Hernandez, Los Fresnos, 11.15; 6, Alfonso Vela, La Feria, 11.64.
4×200-meter relay — 1, San Benito, 1:30.43; 2, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 1:30.69; 3, Los Fresnos, 1:31.51; 4, Rio Grande City, 1:31.93; 5, La Feria, 1:32.52; 6, Mission Veterans, 1:32.81.
400-meter dash — 1, Sean Landez, Sharyland High, 49.46; 2, Alec Garcia, Sharyland Pioneer, 50.52; 3, Alex Castillo, San Benito, 51.59; 4, Carlos Hernandez, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 52.14; 5, Juan Zuniga, Sharyland High, 52.90.
300-meter hurdles — 1, Jorge Cantu, San Benito, 39.81; 2, Mark Garcia, Mission High, 40.16; 3, Tristen Guerra, Sharyland Pioneer, 42.24; 4, Devin Ramirez, Rio Grande City, 42.59; 5, Andrew Rodriguez, Ja Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 42.81; 6, Albert Magallenes, Rio Hondo, 43.00.
200-meter dash — 1, James Cole, Sharyland High, 22.35; 2, Zack Ramon, Sharyland Pioneer, 22.91; 3, Javier Reyna, San Benito, 22.97; 4, Mat Guerrero, Mission Veterans, 23.18; 5, Robert Veliz, Mission High, 23.54; 6, Tobias Davis, La Feria, 23.77.
1600-meter run — 1, Michel Lara, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 4:28.74; 2, Eliseo Rodriguez, La Joya Palmview, 4:30.54; 3, Jose Alleman, Sharyland Pioneer, 4:30.92; 4, Victor Munoz, PSJA Memorial, 4:33.50; 5, Jorge Perez, Mission High, 4:36.28; 6, G.J. Reyna, Mission Veterans, 4:36.56.
4×400-meter relay — 1, Sharyland High, 3:23.96; 2, La Feria, 3:25.33; 3, Sharyland Pioneer, 3:25.64; 4, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 3:27.54; 5, PSJA Memorial, 3:28.17; 6, Los Fresnos, 3:28.36.
Girls
Team Standings — 1, Sharyland Pioneer, 132.5; 2, Los Fresnos, 97; 3, McAllen Rowe, 71; 4, PSJA Memorial, 55; 4, Mission Veterans, 55; 6, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 45.
Field Events
Triple jump — 1, Jaleah Calvillo, Los Fresnos, 36-1; 2, Mayda Garcia, McAllen Rowe, 34-1; 3, Kassy Rocha, Roma, 33-10; 4, Jovanni Solis, McAllen Rowe, 33-8; 5, Nora Monie, Sharyland Pioneer, 33-3; 6, Nyla Vela, Mission Veterans, 33-0.5.
Long jump — 1, Jaleah Calvillo, Los Fresnos, 17-3.5; 2, Mirna Tamez, La Joya Palmview, 16-0.75; 3, Kassy Rocha, Roma, 15-11; 4, Mayda Garcia, McAllen Rowe, 15-9.5; 5, Caleigh Hausenfluck, Sharyland High, 15-8.75; 6, Ashley Gonzalez, Sharyland Pioneer, 15-8.
Discus — 1, Nora Monie, Sharyland Pioneer, 139-6; 2, Malaya Pistokache, Sharyland Pioneer, 121-11; 3, Karen Garza, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 112-5; 4, Brandi Farias, San Benito, 103-10; 5, Cynthia Sandoval, Roma, 96-6; 6, Valencia Granadoas, Los Fresnos, 94-8.
Shot put — 1, Nora Monie, Sharyland Pioneer, 40-4; 2, Valencia Granados, Los Fresnos, 33-3.5; 3, Felicita Saenz, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 32-4.5; 4, Lydia Aguilar, Sharyland Pioneer, 31-8; 5, Alexis Vasquez, Mission Veterans, 21-2.5; 6, Cynthia Sandoval, Roma, 31-0.
High jump — 1, Jaleah Calvillo, Los Fresnos, 5-2; 2, Joan Cepeda, PSJA Memorial, 5-0; 3, Jiovanni Solis, McAllen Rowe, 4-10; 4, Melody Magee, McAllen High, 4-10; 5, Kaihla Reyes, San Benito, 4-10; 6, Brianna Landovazo, Sharyland Pioneer, 4-10.
Pole vault — 1, Maria Gonzalez, Mission Veterans, 8-0; 2, Victoria Alanis, McAllen High, 8-0; 3, Chelsea Chandler, Sharyland High, 7-6; 3, Alejandra Clarke, Rio Grande City, 7-6; 5, Janelle De La Garza, La Joya Palmview, 7-6; 6, Victoria barrios, PSJA Memorial, 7-0.
Running Events
4×800-meter relays — 1, Sharyland Pioneer, 9:59.94; 2, PSJA Memorial, 10:06.06; 3, Mission High, 10:28.10; 4, Los Fresnos, 10:45.01; 5, McAllen High, 10:51.11; 6, Sharyland High, 10:58.48.
3200-meter run — 1, Lizette Chapa, Sharyland Pioneer, 11:45.75; 2, Tina Sierra, La Feria, 12:02.06; 3, Marlette Trevino, Rio Grande City, 12:06.57; 4, Stephanie Ovalle, PSJA Memorial, 12:11.80; 5, Natali Gonzalez, La Joya Palmview, 12:13.86; 6, Alex Gutierrez, McAllen Rowe, 12:41.03.
4×100-meter relay — 1, Sharyland Pioneer, 49.84; 2, McAllen Rowe, 50.91; 3, Los Fresnos, 51.16; 4, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 51.43; 5, Mission Veterans, 51.65; 6, La Joya Palmview, 51.74.
800-meter run — 1, Adriana Cruz, Rio Grande City, 2:18.07; 2, Violet Torres, PSJA Memorial, 2:21.02; 3, Isabel Mendoza, Sharyland Pioneer, 2:24.74; 4, Ana Bautista, Rio Grande City, 2:26.90; 5, Brianna Robles, La Joya Palmview, 2:27.20; 6, Julissa Montoya, La Joya High, 2:30.25.
100-meter hurdles — 1, Jaleah Calvillo, Los Fresnos, 15.24; 2, Jennifer Pena, Sharyland High, 16.36; 3, Nyla Vela, Mission Veterans, 16.77; 4, Alyssa Salazar, Los Fresnos, 16.93; 5, Kailha Reyes, San Benito, 17.33; 6, Ana Calderon, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 17.33.
100-meter dash — 1, Valeria Banda, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 12.38; 2, Myrna Tamez, La Joya Palmview, 12.84; 3, Daniela Segura, Sharyland High, 12.90; 4, Olivia Cano, Mission High, 13.16; 5, Arantza Espinosa, Mission Veterans, 13.30; 6, Karla Garduno, McAllen Rowe, 13.34.
4×200-meter relay — 1, Sharyland Pioneer, 1:46.74; 2, McAllen Rowe, 1:47.71; 3, Mission Veterans, 1:48.96; 4, Los Fresnos 1:49.25; 5, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 1:49.27; 6, Sharyland High, 1:51.49.
400-meter dash — 1, Mallory Raad, McAllen High, 1:00.32; 2, Julissa Montoya, La Joya High, 1:02.34; 3, Maria Gonzalez, Mission Veterans, 1:03.56; 4, Fabiola Garbajal, Mission Veterans, 1:04.60; 5, Ashley Martinez, PSJA Memorial, 1:05.45; 6, Karyn Rocha, Mission high, 1:06.52.
300-meter hurdles — 1, Kailah Reyes, San Benito, 47.60; 2, Brittany Cano, La Joya Palmview, 48.20; 3, Skylar Hernandez, McAllen High, 48.71; 4, Alyssa Salazar, Los Fresnos, 48.99; 5, Nyla Vela, Mission Veterans, 50.67; 6, Jennifer Pena, Sharyland Hihg, 50.93.
200-meter dash — 1, Milytza Galvan, La Feria, 26.91; 2, Monica Walensky, PSJA Memorial, 27.07; 3, Michelle Ramos, La Joya High, 27.31; 4, Kim Munoz, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 27.52; 5, Mariah Gonzalez, Mission Veterans, 27.77; 6, Karyn Cepeda, La Joya High, 28.28.
1600-meter dash — 1, Adriana Cruz, Rio Grande City, 5:21.07; 2, Brianna Robles, La Joya Palmview, 5:24.18; 3, Yareli Tamez, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 5:32.49; 4, Ana Bautista, Rio Grande City, 5:35.68; 5, Tina Sierra, La Feria, 5:36.27; 6, Sandy Martinez, Mission High, 5:41.99.
4×400-meter relay — 1, Sharyland Pioneer, 4:05.74; 2, McAllen Rowe, 4:07.28; 3, Los Fresnos, 4:12.58; 4, PSJA Memorial, 4:13.24; 5, Mission Veterans, 4:14.36; 6, La Feria, 4:18.56.
BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
La Joya Palmview boys track coach Abel Garza saw encouraging signs last week at the Knights of Columbus Relays in Mercedes, where the Lobos took home seven medals and placed fourth. Whatever momentum the team mustered, however, has been stifled this week by Mother Nature.
“With the weather, it’s been hard to get some of the kids out there,” Garza said.
Despite the minimal practice time, Palmview will look to build on their previous meet today at the Mission Memorial Relays at Mission High School. Expected to compete at the event are 16 boys and girls teams, including La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, a team Garza points to as a barometer.
“Juarez-Lincoln has some good relays,” he said. “We have to measure up against them. Being their sister school makes things a bit more competitive.”
The Lobos placed second in the 1600-meter relay a week ago with a time of 3 minutes 31.06 seconds, but failed to placed in the top six in other relay events.
“(Today) will be focused on the relays, trying to find the best fit,” Garza said. “We’re still giving kids a chance to find what areas they are most comfortable with.”
Eliseo Rodriguez is more than comfortable in distance runs. At Mercedes, the sophomore took home gold in both the 1600-meter run and 3200-meter run with respective times of 4:25.80 and 9:36.75. The latter stands at the best time for all Valley runners.
“He’s probably our highest point-getter,” Garza said. “He hasn’t hit his (personal record) yet, but he’s improving week to week and has dropped his time.”
In the field events, Palmview will be represented in part by Damien Quintanilla, who placed second a week ago in the triple jump with a distance of 42 feet, and Victor Bocanegra, who won gold in the high jump with a mark of 6-0. Both qualified for spots in this week’s Valley’s Best.
FIRST-TIME GOLD
The girls of the Edcouch-Elsa Yellowjackets participate in the Mid-Valley Classic today in Weslaco. Much like the Lobos, the team is also coming off a strong showing at Mercedes, where they placed third.
“It was the first time we faced several of our opponents from district,” Yellowjackets girls coach Annalisa Limas said. “Our girls finally showed what they could do.”
E-E was led in part by junior Krysta Martinez, who won the gold medal in the 800-meter run (2:15.18) and the 1600-meter run (5:11.22). Though Martinez is accustomed to long-distance running, last week marked her first attempt at the 800-meter run this season.
“She didn’t even have a prior time,” Limas said. “I told her, ‘Show us what you got.’ She blew us all away.”
Though Saturday marked her first attempt in the 800, Martinez currently holds the Valley’s best time in the event for girls competition. Martinez is one of few upperclassmen on a team Limas describes as “young,” although freshman have made their presence known for E-E, too.
Shana Alvarado won bronze in the long jump at Mercedes with a distance of 15-11 3/4 and placed fourth in the triple jump with a distance of 33-4 3/4. Alvarado has also served as an anchor on various relays throughout the season. Limas says the relays are an area of concentration for the team moving forward.
“We’re trying to get the girls comfortable with each other in their events,” she said. “We’re down to the wire here. After (today’s) meet, they have to know what their area of expertise is.”
LOOKING AHEAD
After this weekend’s meets at Mission and Weslaco, the PSJA ISD Relays will be held on March, 21 in Pharr. The following week, Welsaco will host the Meet of Champions on March 27 and 28.
BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
WESLACO — Joe Solis was the most celebrated athlete Friday at the Mid-Valley Classic relays at Bobby Mackey Stadium. In his track debut, moments before the starting gun fired, Solis was met with a standing ovation and chants of “Go, Joe, Go!”
Solis wasn’t concerned with the buzz of the crowd, however.
“I just focused on the gun, because it’s the loudest thing other than the cheers,” Solis said.
The evening marked a personal milestone for the Weslaco High freshman as well as a historic moment in Valley track and field. Solis became the Valley’s first paralympic track athlete to compete in the UIL’s wheelchair division.
This is the second season for high school wheelchair racing in Texas, and only Solis’ second month in competitive racing. Despite his status as a newcomer, Solis shows potential. He finished his attempt in the 100-meter wheelchair run with a time of 20.54 seconds, easily surpassing the 40-second barrier to qualify for May’s state competition in Austin. He qualified for state once more in the 400 wheelchair run with a time of 1:18.79, crushing the state-minimum time of 2:40.00.
After each successful run, Solis was circled by teammates and opposing athletes alike, all expressing encouraging words and congratulations.
“There was just so much excitement, I really didn’t know what to say,” Solis said. “I never thought I would do this.”
Solis was born with spina bifida and is paralyzed from the waist down. He has been in a wheelchair since the age of 3. That’s not to say he was wasn’t as active as his peers. Around the same time Solis grew accustomed to a wheelchair, he took up skateboarding.
“We’d take him to the skatepark and he’s get on the ramp,” Solis’ mother Sylvia said. “He loved that. We never told him, ‘No, you can’t do this or that.’ He did everything on his own.”
Solis was asked to join the Panthers by girls coach Pablo Almaguer, a former track athlete who became paralyzed as a result of a car crash when he was 21.
“I saw Joe in the hallways, and I found out what his condition is,” Almaguer siad. “I just convinced him to come out.”
Solis’ first practice consisted of five laps around the track. The seemingly simple task left Solis sore and out of breath.
“That’s when I knew it was going to take a lot more work than I thought,” Solis said.
During workouts, Solis lifts weights to focus on increased shoulder strength and added durability in his back. During the 400 wheelchair run, Solis felt a familiar sting of pain, and almost let up.
“I felt it on the back end,” he said. “I almost stopped, but I told myself, ‘This isn’t practice. You have to keep it up.’”
Solis’ windedness was a welcomed sight for Almaguer.
“This is the first time he’s been pushed,” he said. “It’s something new for him. He’s being pushed in a lot of different directions. I think for him it was good to just get out here and have people see him do it.”
As Solis’ campaign to state continues, he carries a piece of paralympic history with him. The bike used to race into state on Friday is the same one used by paralympic athlete Saul Mendoza, who won gold in the 1500 wheelchair run at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. Mendoza has been working with Solis, and gifted the bike to the freshman.
“I know I can go fast,” Solis said. “I have the fastest bike.”
While Solis competed in each of his events by himself, Almaguer hopes Solis can set an example for other would-be paralympic athletes in the Valley.
“We’ve got some other kids we’re looking at to come out,” Almaguer said. “(Solis) is kind of discouraged because he feels like the only one doing it. He was like, ‘Why am I doing this, nobody else is out here.’ He’s going to open the door for everyone else. He’s going to be the first.”
Valley’s best and mythical standings for March 11, 2015
Boys
Team standings — 1, Sharyland High 81; 2, Edinburg Vela, 64; 3, McAllen Memorial, 63; 4, Los Fresnos 50; 5, Harlingen High, 44; 6, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 37; 7, Weslaoc East, 37; 8, Donna High, 30; 9, La Joya Palmview, 26.75; 10, San Benito, 22.
Field Events
Shot Put – 1, Anthony Esparza, McAllen Memorial, 54-8.5; 2,Mike Zuniga, Rio Hondo, 54-1; 3, John Melmares, San Benito 49-10; 4, Johnny Howell, Sharyland Pioneer, 49-8; 5, Edward Pequeno, McAllen Memoiral 49-1; 6, Travis Barnes, Harlingen High, 48-5.
Discus — 1, Angel Espinoza, Brownsville Rivera, 180-8; 2, Edward Pequeno, McAllen Memorial, 163-3; 3, Lucas Rios, McAllen Memorial, 154-2; 4, Gilbert Castro, Progreso, 153-9; 5, Gabriel Almandariz, Edcouch-Elsa, 150-8; 6, Mike Zuniga, Rio Hondo, 150-6.
Long jump — 1, Sean Landez, Sharyland High, 22-4; 2, Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 22-1.5; 3, Ciro Hernandez, PSJA North, 21-6; 4, Roel Garcia, Mercedes, 21-3; 4, Trevor Speights, McAllen Memorial, 21-1; 6, Felipe Flores, Browwnsville Veterans, 21-0.
Triple jump — 1, Pete Perez, Los Fresnos, 43-1.75; 2,Dominick Castillo, Donna North, 42-9; 3, Carlos Barrera, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 42-7; 4, Hector Bosquez, McAllen Rowe, 42-3; 5, Mark Reyna, IDEA Quest, 42-2.5; 6, Damien Quintanilla, La Joya Palmview, 42-0.
High jump — 1, Brendon Rivera, Edinburg Vela, 6-10; 2, Diego Martinez, Sharyland High, 6-2; 3, Robert Rosales, Valley View, 6-1; 4, Anthony Garza, Weslaco High, 6-0; 5, Kris Marrogquin, Weslaco High, 6-0; 6, Adrian Morales, Harlingen South, 6-0; 6, Victor Bocanegra, La Joya Palmview, 6-0.
Pole vault — 1, Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 14-6; 2, Seth Carter, Sharyland High, 13-6; 3, Jose Garcia, Mission High, 13-6; 4, Albert Villarreal, Harlingen High, 13-6; 5, Marcos Carrizales, Rio Hondo, 13-6; 6, 3 tied at 13-0.
Running Events
* denotes fully automatic time
100-meter dash — 1, James Cole, Sharyland High, 10.86*; 2, Gabe Vasquez, San Benito, 10.99*; 3, Sean Landez, Sharyland High, 11.03*; 4, Adrian Rodriguez, McAllen High, 11.04*; 5, Rodrigo Vega, Donna High, 11.04*; 6, Lupe Moron, Weslaco East, 11.08*.
200-meter dash — 1, James Cole, Sharyland High, 22.24*; 2, Christopher Rosales, Harlingen High, 22.36*; 3, Sean Landez, Sharyland High, 22.52*; 4, Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 22.54*; 5, Mike Medellin, Edinburg Economedes, 22.62*; 6, Jose Torres, PSJA North, 22.64*.
400-meter dash — 1, Sean Landez, Sharyland High, 50.52*; 2, Christopher Montemayor, Harlingen High, 50.58; 3, Marcos Medina, Harlingen High, 50.70; 4, Yariel Matute, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 51.04*; 5, Michael Cavaozos, Edinburg Vela, 51.04; 6, Victor Castillo, McAllen Memorial, 51.06.
800-meter run — 1, Ricardo Mendoza, La Joya High, 1:55.73; 2, Jesus Mata, Mission Veterans, 1:57.39; 3, Dante Goana, PSJA Southwest, 1:57.79; 4, Carlos Rodriguez, La Feria, 1:57.96; 5, Isaac Arevalo, Edinburg Vela, 1:58.39; 6, Michel Lara, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 1:58.65.
1600-meter run — 1, Adam Herrera, Edinburg Vela, 4:25.75; 2, Eliseo Rodriguez, La Joya Palmview, 4:25.80; 3, Victor Pedraza, PSJA Southwest, 4:27.37; 4, Joshua Perez, Donna North, 4:28.97; 5, Anthony Garza, Brownsville Rivera, 4:29.02*; 6, Tristan Rena, Edinburg North, 4:31.10.
3200-meter run — 1, Eliseo Rodriguez, La Joya Palmview, 9:36.75; 2, Victor Pedraza, PSJA Southwest, 9:39.05; 3, Albert Herrera, Weslaco East, 9:39.81; 4, Adam Herrera, Edinburg Vela, 9:41.02; 5, GJ Reyna, Mission Veterans, 9:46.25; 6, Christian Machuca, Brownsville Rivera, 9:47.49.
110-meter hurdles — 1, Vince Castillo, Donna High, 14.22; 2, Marcus Pena, Sharyland High, 14.79*; 3, JR Villarreal, Weslaco East, 15.60*; 4, Tristan Guerra, Sharyland Pioneer, 15.74*; 5, Alan Martinez, Mission High, 15.74*; 6, Brnadon Bradford, PSJA North, 16.09*.
300-meter hurdles — 1, Vince Castillo, Donna High School, 38.40; 2, Jorge Cantu, Can Benito, 39.53; 3, Omar Silva, Port Isabel, 40.10; 4, JR Villarreal, Weslaco East, 40.54; 5, Rene Pecina, La Joya Palmview, 40.62; 5, Edward Velasquez, Brownsville Riverea, 41.27.
400-meter relay — 1, Los Fresnos, 42.81; 2, Weslaco East, 42.96; 3, McAllen Memorial, 43.35; 4, Donna High, 43.59; 5, Mercedes, 43.74; 6, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 43.83.
800-meter relay — 1, Los Fresnos, 1:30.17; 2, Edinburg Vela, 1:31.64*; 3, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 1:31.84*; 4, Sharyland High, 1:31.98; 5, Weslaco East, 1:32.36*; 6, Mercedes, 1:32.45.
1600-meter relay — 1, Edinburg Vela, 3:23.99; 2, Harlingen High, 3:25.25; 3, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 3:29.49; 4, La Feria, 3:30.45; 5, La Joya Palmview, 3:31.06; 6, Sharyland Pioneer, 3:31.75*.
Girls
Team standings — 1, Sharyland Pioneer, 76; 2, Harlingen South, 69; 4, Edinburg High, 58; 4, Brownsville St. Joseph Academy, 45; 5, Los Fresnos 42; 6, McAllen Memorial, 40; 7, Port Isabel, 37; 8, Weslaco High, 35.83; 9, Edinburg North, 35; 10, Edcouch-Elsa, 26.33.
Girls 100-meter dash:
Field Events
Shot put — 1, Nora Monie, Sharyland Pioneer, 45- 3.5; 2, Daniela Murchison, Port Isabel, 44-4; 3, Brittany Vielma, PSJA Southwest, 40-11; 4, Valeria Granados, Los Fresnos, 38-5.5; 5, Maisie Trevino, Edinburg Economedes, 38.05; 6, Clarissa Chavez, Brownsville Veterans, 37-11.
Discus — 1, Nora Monie, Sharyland Pioneer, 140-10; 2, Clarissa Chavez, Brownsville Veterans, 134-9; 3, Daniela Murchison, Port Isabel, 134-7; 4, Brittany Vielna, PSJA Southwest, 127-7; 5, Karen Guerra, La Joya Juerez-Lincoln 119-2; 6, Gertrudis Ruiz-Balls, Brownsville Pace, 118-2.
Long jump — 1, Cierra Pena, Harlingen South, 18-4.5; 2, Gabby Torres, Port Isbabel, 17-10.5; 3, Jiovanni Solis, McAllen Rowe, 16-11; 4, I’Dasha Sorrell, Donna North, 16-10.5; 5, Eleanor Arndt, Weslaco High, 16-7.5; 6, Jacklynn Flores, Mercedes, 16-7.5.
Triple jump — 1, Abriana Saenz, Edinburg North, 37-4; 2, Jaleah Calvillo, Los Fresnos, 37-1; 3, Jacklynn Flores, Mercedes, 35-7.25; 4, Celeste Elizondo, Grulla, 34-9; 5, Malory Raad, McAllen High, 34-4.5; 6, Nyla Vela, Mission Veterans; 34.75.
High jump — 1, Joan Cepeda, PSJA Memorial, 5-4; 2, Gabby Torres, Port Isabel, 5-4; 3, Jaleah Valvillo, Los Fresnos, 5-4; 4, Maria Avila, Brownsville Pace, 5-2; 5, six tied at 5-0.
Pole vault — 1, Megan Lopez, Brownsville St. Joseph, 10-6; 2, Marifera Valencia, Brownsville St. Joseph, 9-6; 3, Aaryn Martinez, Mission Veterans, 9-6; 4, Carolina Carrillo, PSJA North, 9-0; 5, Sydney Salinas, Weslaco High, 9-0; 6, Crystal Hernandez, Edcouch-Elsa, 9-0.
Running Events
* denotes fully automatic time
100-meter dash — 1, Cierra Pena, Harlingen South, 11.86; 2, Valerie Mancha, PSJA High, 11.98; 3, I’Dasha Sorrell, Donna North, 12.08; 4, Caitlin Alaniz, Weslaco East, 12.94*; 5, Yasmine Martinez, Harlingen South, 13.02*; 6, J’yah Cook, Port Isabel, 13.04*.
200-meter dash — 1, Cierra Pena, Harlingen South, 25.18; 2, Gaby Garza, Brownsville St. Joseph, 26.01*; 3, Rebeca Martinez, Sharyland Pioneer, 26.21; 4, Valerie Mancha, PSJA High, 26.30; 5, Mia Hinojosa, La Joya Palmview, 26.37; 6, Nicole Gonzalez, Harlingen South, 26.71.
400-meter dash — 1, Cierra Pena, Harlingen South, 59.49*; 2, Nicole Gonzalez, Harlingen South, 60.30*; 3, Fabiola Carbajal, Mission Veterans, 60.76*; 4, Alexandria Cruz, Edinburg High, 60.84; 5, Katherine DeLeon, McAllen Memorial, 61.04; 6, Juliana Guerrero, Harlingen High, 61.22.
800-meter run — 1, Kyrsta Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 2:15.18; 2, Alexandria Cruz, Edinbug High, 2:15.44; 3, Sofia Salinas, Brownsville Hanna, 2:23.70; 4, Adriana Cruz, Rio Grande City, 2:24.38; 5, Isabel Mendoza, Sharyland Pioneer, 2:24.39; 6, Olivia Aranda, PSJA Southwest, 2:24.52.
1600-meter run — 1, Alexandria Cruz, Edinburg High, 4:59.85; 2, Krysta Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 5:09.13*; 3, Beth Ramos, Edinburg North, 5:11.46*; 4, Lizate Chapa, Sharyland Pioneer, 5:24.0; 5, Brianna Robles, Sharyland Palmview, 5:29.25; 6, Angela Nuno, Edinburg North, 5:30.76.
3200-meter run — 1, Beth Ramos, Edinburg North, 10:50.89; 2, Alexandria Cruz, 11:14.45; 3, Krysta Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 11:34.46; 4, Lizette Chapa, Sharyland Pioneer, 11:43.75; 5, Brianna Robles, La Joya Palmview, 11:44.52; 6, Ana Ochoa, Edinburg Economedes, 11:59.83.
100-meter hurdles — 1, Gaby Garza, Brownsville St. Joseph, 14.96*; 2, Jaleah Calvillo, Los Fresnos, 15.27; 3, Gabby Torres, Port Isabel, 15.81*; 4, Maria Avila, Brownsville Pace, 16.44*; 5, Jennifer Pena, Sharyland High, 16.64*; 6, Olivia Garcia, Edinburg Vela, 16.64&.
300-meter hurdles — 1, Gaby Garza, Brownsville St. Joseph, 44.87; 2, Thanya Garza, McAllen Memorial, 47.51*; 3, Brittany Cano, La Joya Palmview, 48.65; 4, Nyla Vela, Mission Veterans, 48.75; 5, Yasmin Gonzalez, McAllen Memorial, 49.06; 6, Karla Reyes, San Benito, 49.18.
400-meter relay — 1, Harlingen South, 50.10; 2, Sharyland Pioneer, 50.70*; 3, Los Fresnos, 50.77*; 4, McAllen Memorial, 50.84; 5, La Joya Palmview, 51.05; 6, McAllen Rowe, 51.24.
800-meter relay — 1, Weslaco, 1:48.25; 2, Sharyland Pioneer, 1:48.35; 3,Edinbrg High, 1:49.37; 4, McAllen Rowe, 1:50.19*; 5, Mission Veteran, 1:50.30; 46; 6, La Joya Palmview, 1:50.77.
1600-meter relay — 1, McAllen Memorial, 4:07.34; 2, Edinburg High, 4:08.90; 3, Weslaco High, 4:09.71; 4, Edinburg North, 4:10.49; 5, Sharyland Pioneer, 4:12.52; 6, Los Fresnos, 4:13.0.
Knights of Columbus Relays Results
Saturday, March 7
Mercedes High School
Boys
Team Standings — 1, McAllen Memorial, 95; 2, PSJA Southwest, 78; 3, Los Fresnos, 62.5; 4, La Joya Palmview, 72; 5, Weslaco East, 69; 6, Mercedes, 54.
Field Events
Shot put — 1, Anthony Esparza, McAllen Memorial, 54-8.5; 2, Mike Zuniga, Rio Hondo, 53-11.5; 3, Gonzalo Alegria, La Feria, 48-4; 4, John Banda, Weslaco East, 47-7; 5, John Belmares, San Benito, 47-4; 6, Edward Pequeno, McAllen Memorial, 45-2.
Discus — 1, Edward Pequeno, McAllen Memorial, 154-1; 2, Lucas Rios, McAllen Memorial, 152-3; 3, Mike Zuniga, Rio Hondo, 148-3; 4, John Banda, Weslaoc East, 144-5; 5, Jesus Tinajera, Edcouch-Elsa, 143-1; 6, Gabrial Armendarie, Edcouch-Elsa, 140-2.5.
Long jump — 1, Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 21-6; 2, Julian Trevino, La Feria, 20-8.25; 3, Nathan Sifuentes, PSJA High, 20-8; 4, Roel Garcia, Mercedes, 20-5; 5, Eva Gorate, Los Fresnos, 20-4.75; 6, Lupe Moron, Weslaco East, 20-4.
Triple jump — 1, Pete Perez, Los Fresnos, 43-1.75; 2, Damian Q., La Joya Palmview43-0. 3, Zach Gomez, Mercedes, 41-6, 4, Eva Garate, Los Fresnos, 41-0.5; 5, Roel Garcia, Mercedes, 40-11-75; 6, Nathan Sifuentes, PSJA High, 40-4.
High jump — 1, Victor Bocanegra, La Joya Palmview, 6-0; 2, Adrian Rodriguez, Edcouch-Elsa, 5-10; 3, Rafael Cantu, PSJA High, 5-8; 4, Jordan Hibira, Los Fresnos, 5-6; 5, Isaac G., La Feria, 5-6; 6, Xavier Martinez, San Benito, 5-4.
Pole Vault — 1, Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 13-6; 2, Matthew Garcia, McAllen Memorial, 12-6; 3, Rudy Villanueva, Edcouch-Elsa, 11-0; 4, Frank Cavazos, Edcouch-Elsa, 10-6; 5, Bryan Sifuentes, PSJA Southwest, 10-6; 6, Billy Guerra, La Feria, 10-0; 6, Cameron C., Los Fresnos, 10-0.
Running Events
3200 meter run — 1, Eliseo Rodriguez, La Joya Palmview, 9:36.75; 2, Victor Pedraza, PSJA Southwest, 9:39.65; 3, Albert Herrera, Weslaco East, 9:39.81; 4, Angel Martinez, PSJA High, 9:49.01; 5, Joshua Perez, Donna North, 9:49.56; 6, David De Hoyos, Edcouch-Elsa, 10:01.03.
400-meter relay — 1, Los Fresnos, 42.81; 2, Weslaco East, 42.96; 3, Mercedes, 43.56; 4, McAllen Memorial, 43.86; 5, PSJA Southwest, 44.28; 6, La Feria, 44.87.
800-meter run — 1, Ricardo Mendoza, la Joya High, 1:55.73; Dante Garora, PSJA Southwest, 1:57.79; 3, Carlos Rodriguez, la Feria, 1:557.96; 4, Jayven Cardova, Weslaco East, 1:59.56; 5, Francisco Flores, PSJA Southwest, 1:59.62; 6, Manny Gonzalez, Mercedes, 2:00.56.
110-meter hurdles — 1, J.D. Alaniz, La Joya Palmview, 15.94; 2, Homer Alaniz, PSJA Southwest, 42.96; 3, Chase Kinney, McAllen Memorial, 16.62; 4, Robert Little, Mercedes, 16.69; 5, Santos Lopez, Edcouch-Elsa, 16.70; 6, JR Villarreal, Weslaco East, 17.10.
100-meter dash — 1, Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 10.97; 2, Raul Rivas, PSJA Southwest, 51.47; 3, Gabe Vasquez, San Benito, 11.15; 4, Lupe Moron, Weslaoc East, 11.17; 5, Jose Martinez, San Benito, 11.31; 6, Andrew Segura, Edcouch-Elsa, 11.35.
800-meter relay — 1, Los Fresnos, 1:30.17; 2, Weslaco East, 1:32.44; 3, Mercedes, 1:32.45; 4, PSJA Southwest, 1:33.55; 5, La Feria, 1:33.56; 6, San Benito, 1:35.5.
400-meter dash — 1, Victor Castillo, McAllen Memorial, 51.06; 2, Francisco Flores, PSJA Southwest, 51.47; 3, Alex Castillo, San Benito, 51.87; 4, Adrian Rodriguez, Edcouch-Elsa, 51.90; 5, Danny Diaz, PSJA High, 53.29; 6, Randy Ivie, McAllen High, 53.48.
300-meter hurdles — 1, Jorge Cantu, San Benito, 39.53; 2, JR Villarreal, Weslaco East, 40.54; 3, Rene Pecina, La Joya Palmview, 40.62; 4, Esteban Martinez, Progreso, 41.28; 5, Pablo Pratt, McAllen Memorial, 44.30; 6, Robert Little, Mercedes, 44.35.
200-meter dash — 1, Michael Boltie, McAllen Memorial, 20.27; 2, Justin Medina, Edcouch-Elsa, 22.81; 3, Ricky Cantu, PSJA Southwest, 22.98; 4, Tristen Gutierrez, Mercedes, 23.19; 5, Freddy Quilantilla, La Joya Palmview, 23.35; 6, Jose Martinez, San Benito, 23.49.
1600-meter dash — 1, Elieso Rodriguez, La Joya Palmview, 4:25.80; 2, Victor Pedraza, PSJA Southwest, 4:27.37; 3, Joshua Perez, Donna North, 4:28.9; 4, Ricardo Mendoza, La Joya High, 4:32.62; 5, Albert Herrera, Weslaco East, 4:33.50; 6, Jayven Gordova, Weslaco East, 4:33.52.
1600-meter relay — 1, La Feria, 3:30.45; 2, La Joya Palmview, 3:31.06; 3, Los Fresnos, 3:31.90; 4, PSJA Southwest, 3:33.75; 5, Edcouch-Elsa, 3:34.01; 6, Weslaco East, 3:34.52.
Girls
Team Standings — 1, McAllen Memorial, 137; 2, McAllen High, 81; 3, Edcouch-Elsa, 70; 4, La Joya Palmview, 68; 5, Mercedes, 62; 6, PSJA High, 42.
Field Events
Shot put — 1, Brittany Vielma, PSJA Southwest, 40-11; 2, Faith Olszak, Weslaco Eat, 35-8.5; 3, Sam Pena, Donna North, 33-8.5; 4, Lucero Tovar, La Feria, 33-0; 5, Adriana Naranjo, San Benito, 31-7; 6, Alinah Rodriguez, Edcouch-Elsa, 30-4.
Discus — 1, Brittany Vielva, PSJA Southwest, 127-3; 2, Brnadi Farias, San Benito, 110-8.5; 3, Tamara Castillo, PSJA Southwest, 106-3.5; 4, Adriana Naranjo, San Benito, 101-4; 5, Sarahi Gaytan, Edcouch-Elsa, 101-1.5; 6, Taylor Helmcamp, McAllen high, 100-1.5.
Long jump — 1, Jacklynn Flores, Mercedes, 16-7.5; 2, Natalie Young, McAllen memorial, 16-6; 3, Shana Alvarado, Edcouch-Elsa, 15-11.75; 4, Mirna Tamez, La Joya Palmview, 15-11.5; 5, Malory Raad, McAllen High, 15-7.5; 6, Mailen Navarro, PSJA Southwest, 15-6.
Triple jump — 1, Jacklynn Flores, Mercedes, 35-7.25; 2, Malory Raad, McAllen High, 34-4.5; 3, Brenda Martinez, La Joya Palmview, 33-7.75; 4, Shana Alvarado, Edcouch-Elsa, 33-4-.75; 5, Crystal Ibarra, San Benito, 32-7.25; 6, Esmeralda Corke, La Feria, 31-0.75.
High jump — 1, Sydney Pemelton, 5-0; 2, Natalie Young, McAllen Memorial, 4-10; 3, Valerie Mancha, PSJA High, 4-10; 4, Katherine DeLeon, McAllen Memorial, 4-10; 5, Carter Helmcamp, McAllen High, 4-8; 6, Brenda Martinez, La Joya Palmview, 4-8.
Pole Vault — 1, Sara Summers, McAllen Memorial, 8-6; 2, Victoria Alaniz, McAllen High, 8-0; 3, Sara Solis, McAllen High, 8-0; 4, Vanessa Jinks, McAllen Memorial, 7-6; 5, Marisol Segovia, Edcouch-Elsa, 7-6; 6, Jada Benavidez, Mercedes, 7-0.
Running Events
3200-meter run — 1, Briana Robles, La Joya Palmview, 11:44.52; 2, Leslie Alvarado, Edcouch-Elsa, 12:05.00; 3, Natalie Gonzalez, La Joya palmview, 12:09.63; 4, Ana Sanchez, PSJA 12:10.28; 5, Monie Izaguirre, Mercedes, 12:18.44; 6, Alma Villanueva, PSJA Southwest, 12:19.22.
400-meter relay — McAllen Memorial, 50.84; 2, McAllen High, 51;.44; 3, La Joya Palmview, 52.03; 4, Weslaco East, 52.26; 5, Mercedes 52.29; 6, San Benito, 53.03.
800-meter run — 1, Krystsa Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 2:15.18; 2, Brenda Ramos, La Feria, 2:27.37; 3, Jazlynn Richie, PSJA High, 2:29.5; 4, Mailen Navarro, PSJA Southwest, 2:29.9; 5, Karina Prado, Mercedes, 2:30.47; 6, Naila Flores, La Joya Palmview, 2:31.73.
100-meter hurdles — 1, Sarah Killian, McAllen High, 17.08; 2, Yasmin Gonzalez, McAllen Memorial, 12.25; 3, Kassi Banda, Mercedes, 17.67; 4, Dalila Sanchez, Donna North, 18.26; 5, Andrea Munguia, McAllen Memorial, 18.38; 6, Nina Aza, Weslaco East, 18.40.
100-meter dash — 1, Valerie Mancha, PSJA High, 12.53; 2, Caitlyn Alaniz, Weslaco East, 12.69; 3, Jacklynn Flores, Mercedes, 12.82; 4, Sarah Killina, McAllen High, 13.08; 5, Mariana Garcia, McAllen Memorial, 13.29; 6, Alena Gonzalez, Mercedes, 13.39.
800-meter relay — 1, McAllen Memorial, 1:51.10; 2, San Benito, 1:52.82; 3, Mercedes, 1:54.26; 4, La Joya High, 1:54.40; 5, McAllen high, 1:55.29; 6, La Feria, 1:57.20
400-meter dash — 1, Mallory Raad, McAllen high, 1:01.71; 2, Taylor Marburger, 1:01.84; 3, Kelly Bguinga, Edcouch-Elsa, 1:02.43; 4, Valerie Ramirez, McAllen Memorial, 1:02.97; 5, Jelina Monbya, La Joya Hihg, 1:03.78; 6, Gabriellea Ramirez, PSJA Southwest, 1:04.66.
300-meter hurdles — 1, Thanya Garza, McAllen Memorial, 47.39; 2, Brittany Cano, La Joya Palmview, 48.65; 3, Kayla Reyes, San Benito, 49.18; 4, Kamerie Vidales, PSJA Southwest, 49.54; 5, Yasmin Gonzalez, McAllen Memorial, 51.04; 6, Jayda Lei, Edcouch-Elsa, 52.57.
200-meter dash — 1, Valeria Mancha, PSJA High, 26.30; 2, Milytza Galvan, La Feria, 27.06; 3, Katherine DeLeon, McAllen memorial, 27.44; 4, Mirra Tamez, La Joya Palmview, 27.68; 5, Shana Alvarado, Edcouch-Elsa, 27.89; 6, Mariana Garcia, McAllen Memorial, 28.30.
1600-meter run — 1, Krysta Martinez, Edcouch-Elsa, 5:11.22; Briana Robles, La Joya Palmview, 5:29.25; 3, Ava Sanchez, PSJA High, 5:35.10; 4, Monique Izaguirre, Mercedes, 5:39.20; 5, Leslie Alvarado, Edcouch-Elsa, 5:39.78; 6, Alma Villanueva, PSJA Southwest, 5:46.78.
1600-meter relay — 1, McAllen Memorial, 4:15.78; 2, Edcouch-Elsa, 4:20.94; 3, La Feria, 4:21.75; 4, La Joya Palmview, 4:25.54; 5, Mercedes, 4:25.66; 6, La Joya High, 4:26.78.
BY JON R. LAFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER
Esteemed Valley coaches Bruce Bush and Roy Garcia this week were inducted the Texas High School Coaches Association’s Hall of Honor. Bush and Garcia are among the five inductees of the Class of 2015.
Bush, who last coached football for the PSJA North Raiders for five seasons before retiring in 2012, spent 34 years as a head coach while winning 271 games. He coached at PJSA High for two seasons beginning in 1981 and led the Bears to back-to-back district titles. He was inducted to the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
Garcia, who was inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame in 1993, has coached basketball for 39 years, including a 30-year tenure at Mission High (1972-2002). Garcia ranks among the Valley’s most accomplished coaches with 600 career wins and multiple district championships.
Garcia was notified of the personal achievement via phone Monday morning at PSJA Southwest High, where he has coached boys basketball for five seasons.
“The guy on the phone asked me if (the news) made my day. I told him it made my life,” Garcia said.
Indeed, coaching is Garcia’s greatest passion. But his illustrious career has humble beginnings. He grew up the youngest son of a sharecropper in Los Fresnos, knowing from a young age what his life’s calling was.
“I remember from the sixth grade up, I prayed to God to help me become a coach,” Garcia said. “I asked Him to help me and to guide me.”
Garcia grew up playing baseball and basketball under the stewardship of his family.
“My dad was very disciplined in doing what he wanted to do,” Garcia said. “He instilled in us to do our best or to try our best. Don’t go through the motions. My older brothers would correct me if I messed up, too. I looked up to them because they knew more than I did.”
Garcia received a three-year athletic scholarship to Texas Southmost College. Upon his graduation in 1964, he was drafted by the Army and was stationed in Germany for two years.
“Six months before my service was up, my commander volunteered us for combat in Vietnam,” Garcia said. “They said we weren’t ready. I didn’t mind not being ready.”
Upon his return stateside, Garcia resumed his education at East Texas State University where he received his Masters in physical education. He began coaching Los Fresnos baseball in 1971.
“The Los Fresnos athletic director had saved the baseball job for me while I was away,” Garcia said. “He didn’t hire anyone for that job. He coached the team, he did it himself.”
Garcia coached the Falcons for one season, leading them to the district championship. But when Los Fresnos’ AD left for Mission High, Garcia followed and was given the job of head basketball coach.
During Garcia’s inaugural season with the Eagles, the team finished third in district play. Mission would improve over the next two seasons, finishing second and tying for first before losing in the tie-breaking game.
“Those were the days where only one team (from district) went to the playoffs,” Garcia said. “After three seasons of not making it, we had all five starters graduate. The A.D. told me it was alright if we had a down year. The expectations weren’t there. I told that to the kids on the team, and they were pissed. After that, they won the district championship three years in a row.”
Such a story cuts to the heart of Garcia’s beliefs. A coach can preach all he wants, but he has to have helped to be great.
“Without players, you cannot do anything,” he said. “Because of them, that’s how coached are made. Your players play for you, you’re going to look good.”