Jon LaFollette and Mario Aguirre of RGVSports.com break down the girls playoff situation and preview the final week of the regular season in boys basketball. Plus, talk of shoes and analytics.

BY JON. R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

On Friday, the Donna High Bravettes will drive to Mercedes to play the Lady Tigers in a game that will be trivial but important, a throw away yet a chance to improve. The point of view depends on which coach you talk to.

“It wasn’t my idea,” Bravettes coach Kevin Kromer said. “Put it that way.”

Donna and Mercedes each won a share of the District 32-5A title after finishing 13-1 in district play and splitting the season series. That circumstance cannot change. When Kromer and Mercedes coach Marissa Gutierrez met on Wednesday, it was to discuss seeding possibilities for the post season.
Kromer wanted a simple coin toss to break the tie, Gutierrez, however, wanted to play.

“What better way to go into the playoffs than with great competition?” Gutierrez asked. “We wanted to play a tough game.”

When the coaches could not reach an agreement, a seeding game was arranged — as written in the district handbook.

Kromer, fearing the risk of injuries, says he will bring his varsity team, but they will be dressed in street clothes and watch from the stands to cheer the junior varsity squad.

“I wouldn’t send the camera crew over,” Kromer said. “Don’t waste time watching it.”

For Gutierrez, injuries are ever-present and says, “injuries are going to happen regardless,” before adding, “that’s not to say we don’t care about the kids.” Instead, she wants another opportunity for her team to get better.

“I’m looking for better ball movement, doing the little things,” Gutierrez said. “We’ll just do our part and focus on us.”

The winner of Friday’s game will face Sharyland High in the bi-district round while the losing team will play Roma.

ONE MORE CHANCE

On the same evening Kevin Kromer will play it safe, his brother will not have the same luxury. Coach William Kromer and the Weslaco East Lady Wildcats will travel to Edinburg Economedes High School to play the Lady Jaguars in a playoffs-or-bust game in District 31-6A.

The winner secures the district’s final postseason spot and will face Harlingen High in the bi-district round. The loser stays home. Both teams finished 5-7 in district competition and split the season series.

“It makes this season even better for us if we’re able to battle through this and make the playoffs,” William said. “The seniors I have are not rookies to the playoffs. There’s history and tradition (at Weslaco East) They’re trying to get there. They don’t want to be the team that misses the playoffs.”

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Girls #RGVHoops Top 10 for the week of 2.12.15

Rank/Team Rec. Pre.

1, Weslaco High 29-5 1

2, Harlingen High 29-3 2

3, PSJA North 28-4 3

4, Edinburg Vela 23-8 4

5, Brownsville Veterans 25-8 5

6, Mercedes 23-9 6

7, McAllen Rowe 22-12 7

8, Donna High 22-10 8

9, Rio Hondo 22-6 9

10, Lyford 24-6 10

Coaches, to report girls basketball scores, call 1 (956) 683-4402

Friday, Feb. 6

District 30-6A

McAllen Rowe 52, La Joya Palmview 21

Mission 40, La Joya High 37

McAllen High at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, postponed

District 31-6A

Edinburg High 36, Weslaco East 31

Edinburg North 50, PSJA Memorial 32

Weslaco High 53, Edinburg Economedes 18

District 32-6A

Harlingen High 78, Brownsville Lopez 20

Harlingen South 53, San Benito 46

Brownsville Rivera 38, Brownsville Hanna 33

Brownsville Veterans Memorial 40, Los Fresnos 29

District 31-5A

Rio Grande Ctiy 37, Mission Veterans 24

Sharyland High 53, Valley View 24

Roma 40, Sharyland Pioneer 20

District 32-5A

Brownsville Pace 41, Edcouch-Elsa 19

Mercedes 61, PSJA Southwest 34

PSJA High 46, Brownsville Porter 25

Donna High 49, Donna North 24

District 32-4A

Hidalgo 45, Raymondville 39, OT

Port Isabel 44, Progreso 20

Rio Hondo 53, Grulla 32

Zapata 72, La Feria 71, 3OT

District 32-3A

Lyford 44, Santa Rosa 38

District 32-2A

San Perlita 37, Riviera-Kaufer 24

Santa Maria 35, San Isidro 17

Lasara 40, Bruni 33

Saturday, Feb. 7

District 30-6A

McAllen High and La Joya Juarez-Lincoln, 6:00 p.m.

Friday’s Games

District 30-6A

McAllen Rowe 52, La Joya Palmview 21

Palmview 4 5 6 5 — 21

McAllen Rowe 9 15 13 15 — 52

Palmview (21) — Brittany Cano 2, Samantha Gutierrez 5, Monica Noyola 6, Christina Chavez 1, Cyndar Magallon 2, Martha Bocanegra 5

MCallen Rowe (52) — Jovani Solis 7, Deanna Spear 8, Mayda Garcia 17, Kaytlan Almaraz 1, Victoria Tarbutton 2, Ryela Rodriguez 10, Jocelyn Pena 4, Daphnie Partida 2, Alberta Cantu 1

RECORDS: La Joya Palmview 19-10, (8-3); McAllen Rowe 20-12, (10-1)

District 31-6A

Edinburg North 50, PSJA Memorial 32

Edinburg North 11 17 31 50 — 50

PSJA Memorial 10 16 25 32 — 32

Edinburg North (50) — Brianna Garza 5; Tiffany Chapa 13; Charlene Flores 6; Natalie Alaniz 17; Stephanie Flores 9

PSJA Memorial (32) — Zelinda Quintero 2; Kayla Anguiano 8; Violet Torres 7; Monique De Leon 2; Emily Garcia 2; Cassandra Rodriguez 3; Emily Rivera 4; Alex Soto 4;

RECORDS: Edinburg North 14-18 (3-8); PSJA Memorial 10-21 (0-12)

Edinburg High 36, Weslaco East 31

Edinburg High 11 4 11 10 — 36

Weslaco East 4 10 15 2 — 31

Edinburg high (36) — Jaida Santa Maria 9; Reyna Del Castillo 7; Rita Garcia 3; Mercedes Hernandez 8; Jennifer Galvan 7; Natalie Roxburgh 2

Weslaco East (31) — Michelle Marquez 3; Felicia Rivera 8; Giselle Reyes 3; Sabrina Rodriguez 2; Ashley Cruz 13; Faith Olszak 2;

RECORDS: Weslaco East 16-16 (5-6); Edinburg High 22-12 (6-5)

Edinburg High 42, Weslaco East

Edinburg High 10 6 5 21 — 42

Weslaco East 2 0 16 15 — 33

Edinburg High (42) — Timothy Wood 10; Derek Guerra 1; Rolando Rocha 9; Angel Cantu 13; Ulysses Resendez 9

Weslaco East (33) — Ciro Rojas 6; Danny Vela 6; Alexis Jasso 5; Kevin Valenzuela 5; Jonothan Munoz 11

RECORDS: Weslaco East 11-18 (5-4); Edinburg High 19-10 (8-2)

District 31-5A

Roma 40, Sharyland Pioneer 20

Roma 10 16 9 4 — 40

Sharyland Pioneer 5 0 9 6 — 20

sharyland Pioneer (20) — Mirando Ramos 11; Melissa De Leon 3; Jasmine Montoya 2; Cesia Beltran 2; Amanda Alvarado 2

Roma (40) — Joelyn Barajas 3; Cassie Saenz 4; Annete Jasso 10; Luis Gonzalez 2; Aileen Rodriguez 2; Denise Pena 2; Cassandra Rocha 12; Diana Gonzalez 2; Arleth Torres 2

RECORDS: Roma 19-12 (7-4); Sharyland Pioneer 3-29 (1-11)

Sharyland High 53, Valley View 24

Sharyland High 24 11 11 7 — 53

Valley View 5 9 6 4 — 24

Sharyland High (53) — N. Carretero 5; S. Reyes 3; L. Hernandez 4; N. Portillo 4; C. Rodriguez 9; A. Marshall 18; M. Garza 10

Valley View (24) — S. Mundilla 4; E. Saenz 5; A. Ramirez 2; P. Castillo 6; E. Solis 2; G. Rodriguez 2; C. Trejo 3

RECORDS: Sharyland High 19-13 (6-5); Valley View 6-20 (1-10)

Rio Grande City 37, Mission Veterans 24

Mission Veterans 7 6 6 5 — 24

Rio Grande City 11 8 7 11 — 37

Mission Veterans (24) — G. Gallardo 2; J. Saldana 2; R. Silva 5; A. Villarreal 7; A. De La Garza 4; D. Ibarra 4

Rio Grande City (37) — Adrianna Cruz 13; Jackie Tenorio 6; Andrea Barron 2; Josie Amaya 4; Gina Villarreal 12

RECORDS: Rio Grande City 17-15 (5-6); Mission Veterans 20-11 (9-2)

District 32-5A

Mercedes 61, PSJA Southwest 34

Mercedes 10 11 17 22 — 61

PSJA Southwest 10 9 5 10 — 34

Mercedes (61) — Deibra Barroso 21

PSJA Southwest(34) — Abby Leanos 8

RECORDS: PSJA Southwest 8-20 (6-7); Mercedes 22-9 (12-1)

District 32-4A

Rio Hondo 53, Grulla 32

Rio Hondo 10 20 11 12 — 53

Grulla 6 6 9 11 — 32

Rio hondo (53) — Myah Falas 13; Victoria Vasquez 2; Dannie Alvarado 6; Andrea Rodriguez 16; Lori Jaramillo 6; Lexi Rodriguez 10

grulla (32) — Kathie Garza 10; Delma Ozuna 16; Erika Salinas 1; Tracy Villarreal 1; Gisselle Chapa 4

RECORDS: Rio Hondo 23-6 (12-0); La Grulla 6-21 (2-10)

District 32-3A

Lyford 44, Santa Rosa 38

Santa Rosa 1 14 15 8 — 38

Lyford 9 14 9 12 — 44

Santa Rosa (38) — not reported

Lyford (44) — not reported

RECORDS: Lyford 25-6 (7-0); Santa Rosa 10-13 (3-3)

BY JON R. LAFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

McALLEN — The last instruction given by McAllen Rowe Lady Warriors girls basketball coach Raul Vega on Friday night was directed at the scoreboard operator.

“Hold on to that ball,” he said.

Vega wanted a memento after his team’s impressive 52-21 home win over the La Joya Palmview Lady Lobos to secure the District 30-6A championship.

“It’s a reminder to remind me years from now of the girls that I had and how hard they worked to get to where they’re at,” Vega said. “That’s what I’m most proud of.”

Rowe’s goal this season was not necessarily to win district, however. The Lady Warriors would have been pleased simply with securing a postseason berth. That was before they won 16 of 18 – including a sweep of district runner-up Palmview.

“Every game (this year), we went in not knowing what was going to happen,” Rowe forward Ryela Rodriguez said between bites of celebratory pizza. “We just went (into games) and played and things just stared working for us.”

Indeed, everything did work for Rowe on Friday.

The Lady Warriors never trailed against Palmview, who were playing for the chance to create a first-place tie with one game remaining in the regular season. Junior guard Deanna Spear scored the first bucket and Rowe never trailed.

Spear, a quick-footed defender, scored 8 points and was tasked with guarding Palmview’s Samantha Gutierrez, the Lady Lobos’ most potent offensive threat.

“It’s intense,” Spear said of guarding an opposing guard of similar speed. “It’s never an easy thing to do. You can’t take a break for a little second because they’re going to get by you.”

Gutierrez, who averages over 16 points per game, was held 5. Her teammate, senior guard Monica Noyola, was limited to 6. Both were routinely flustered by Rowe’s stingy defenders, who cut off passing lanes and hounded the ball. Through three quarters, Palmview was held to just 15 points while Rowe equaled that total in the second quarter alone.

It’s that tough-minded mixture of defense and speed which has spurred Rowe’s run from worst to first.

“The kids played tough tonight,” Vega said. “Our defense created some easy buckets for us, and that gave us a little bit of a lead to stretch (Palmview) out and get them out of their comfort zone. They played as well as I could have asked for.”

Rowe’s march to a district title began inconspicuously. The team mustered six victories last season and was relegated to the district’s basement. The roster was full of youth but was absent varsity experience.

“We went through a lot of obstacles last season,” junior forward Mayda Garcia said. “A lot of the girls have improved and I’m proud of them.”

Garcia led the Lady Warriors (20-12, 10-1) in scoring with 17 points, and cheered on the reserves from the bench in the final minutes.

Though Palmview (19-10, 8-3) will have to wait another year to compete for a district title, the Lady Lobos have nonetheless made history of their own. Despite the loss, the program is guaranteed its first post season appearance.

“We’ve done the best that we can with what we have,” Palmview coach Anisa Reyna said. “Regardless, we’ve had a great season and we’re on the way to legitimacy in this district.”

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Coaches, to report a score, please call (956) 683-4402

Valley-Girls Basketball Scores for Tuesday, Feb. 3

District 30-6A
La Joya Palmview 48, La Joya High 39
McAllen Memorial 54, La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 31
McAllen Rowe 38, McAllen High 21

District 31-6A
Edinburg Economedes 35, Edinburg High 33
PSJA North 48, Weslaco East 35
Weslaco 65, PSJA Memorial 8

District 32-6A
Harlingen South 41, Brownsville Hanna 37
Harlingen High 46, Brownsville Veterans 33
Los Fresnos 55, Brownsville Rivera 22
San Benito 61, Brownsville Lopez 20

District 31-5A
Edinburg Vela 65, Rio Grande City 35
Mission Veterans 58, Valley View 19
Sharyland High 45, Sharyland Pioneer 31

District 32-5A
Brownsville Pace 51, Donna North 18
Donna High 48, Brownsville Porter 29
Mercedes 51, PSJA High 38
PSJA Southwest 51, Edcouch-Elsa 34

District 32-4A
Hidalgo 51, Port Isabel 41
Rio Hondo 47, La Feria 34
Zapata 56, Progreso 23
Raymondville 40, Grulla 31

District 32-3A
Lyford 67, Edinubrg IDEA 47
Brownsville Frontier at Santa Rosa, not reported

District 32-2A
Riviera-Kaufer 62, San Isidro 12
Santa Maria 44, Bruni 17
San Perlita 51, La Villa 32

VALLEY-GIRLS BASKETBALL BOX SCORES
Tuesday’s Games
District 30-6A
La Joya Palmview 48, La Joya High 39
La Joya High 12 3 7 17 — 39
La Joya Palmview 5 16 14 13 — 48
La Joya High (39) — Desaray Segundo 10. Clarissa Mendiola 2. Daniella Cantu 5. Ashley Olivares 16. Monica Garcia 6.
La Joya Palmview (48) — Brittany Cano 3. Samantha Gutierrez 14. Arianna Ramirez 1. Edna Ovalle 4. Monica Noyola 16. Christina Chavez 4. Cynder Magallon 2. Marta Bocanegra 4.
RECORDS: La Joya High (8-20, 2-8); La Joya Palmview (19-9, 8-2)

McAllen Memorial 54, , La Joya Juarez-Lincoln 31
Juarez-Lincoln 7 11 2 11 — 31
McAllen Memorial 11 23 10 10 — 54
LA JOYA JUAREZ-LINCOLN (31) — Abby Escobodo 10, Nomi Millian 2, Maria Ortiz 4, Anai Millian 8, Maria Saldania 7
MCALLEN MEMORIAL (54) — Ebony Johnosn 7, Victoria Izaguirre 12, Kailey Caldwell 12, Brianna Hernandez 2, Cassandra Reyes 4, Crystsal Villarreal 1, Andrea Garcia 2, Draik Banks 12, Sarah Smith 2
RECORDS: La Joya Juarez-Lincoln (7-23, 3-7); McAllen Memorial (16-14, 7-4)

Mcallen Rowe 38, McAllen high 21
McAllen Rowe 6 9 9 14 — 38
McAllen High 9 6 3 3 — 21
MCALLEN ROWE (38) — Ryela Rodriguez 12. Deanna Spear 11. Mayda Garcia 10. Jovanni Solis 4. Vanissa Leal 1.
MCALLEN HIGH (21) — Erika Mora 8. Kathy Maravilla 7. Heaven Wilbanks 2. Victorai Alanis 2. Sabrina Guzman 1. Janette Herrera 1.
RECORDS: McAllen Rowe (19-12, 9-1); McAllen High (14-17, 4-6)

District 31-6A
Edinburg Economedes 35, Edinburg high 33
Economedes 7 7 8 13 — 35
Edinburg High 10 4 7 12 — 33
Economedes (35) — Emily Suarez 5. Lauren Earheart 5. Macy Trevino 8. Sylvia Perez 17.
Edinburg High (33) — Jayla Santa Maria 6. Reyna Del Castillo 14. Emily Acostas 3. Rita Garcia 2. Mercedes Hernandez 3. Jennifer Galban 5.
RECORDS: Edinburg High (20-11, 5-5); Economedes (16-13, 5-5)

PSJA North 48, Weslaco East 35
Weslaco East 4 7 12 12 — 35
PSJA North 12 19 9 8 — 48
Weslaco East (35) — Michelle Marquez 17. Felicia Rivera 7. Giselle Reyes 6. Sabrina Rodriguez 1. Ashley Cruz 2. Faith Olszak 2.
PSJA north (48) — Sarah Serano 8. Cynthia Martinez 12. Ariana Madrano 6. Lisa Palacios 16. Belle Palacios 6.
RECORDS: Weslaco East (16-15, 5-5); PSJA North (27-4,10-1)

District 31-5A
Edinburg Vela 65, Rio Grande City 35
Rio Grande City 11 8 10 6 — 35
Edinburg Vela 17 17 13 18 — 65
Rio Grande City (35) — Adriana Cruz 7. Andrea Barron 7. Jocy Amaya 7. Jacky Penorio 4. Jacky Garcia 4. Gina Villareal 4. Yamileth Garza 2.
Edinburg Vela (65) — Jaida Muhammud 16. Ariel Rodriguez 11. Bianca Cortez 9. Miranda Washington 8. Ylyssa Garcia 7. Julissa Cuellar 4. Terri Garza 2. Tatinia Guerrero 2. Emma Villarreal 2.
RECORDS: Edinburg Vela (22-8,11-0); Rio Grande City (16-15, 4-6)

Mission Veterans 58, Valley View 19
Valley View 4 6 5 4 — 19
Mission Veterans 18 16 12 12 — 58
valley View (19) — S. Munguia 8. N. Del Angel 3. B. Cantu 2. A. Ramirez 2. P. Castillo 2. G. Rodriguez 2.
mission veterans (58) — Rosa Silva 6. Audrey Villareal 5. Andrea De La Garza 15. Lindsey Garza 8. D.D. Ibarra 10. Maria Torres 11. Krista Perez 3.
RECORDS: Mission Veterans 19-11 (8-2); Valley View (6-19, 1-9)

Sharyland High 45, Sharyland Pioneer 31
Sharyland Pioneer 7 10 10 4 — 31
Sharyland High 7 12 14 12 — 45
sharyland pioneer (31) — Chelsea Chandler 2, Ashley Briseno 9, Miranda Ramos 12, Amanda Alvarado 4, Kazzie Chambers 2, Marie Aguilar 2.
SHARYLAND HIGH (45) — Nany Carretero 2, Breeanna Flores 2, Natalia Portillo 4, Briana Rodriguez 6, Sonia Trevino 1, Casey Stephens 4, Anna Marshall 16, Maddie Garza 10.
RECORDS: Sharyland High (18-13, 5-5); Sharyland Pioneer (3-28, 1-10)

District 32-5A
Mercedes 51, PSJA High 38
PSJA High 8 9 15 6 — 38
Mercedes 11 10 16 14 — 51
PSJA High (38) — Mariah West 14, Vallerie Mancha 4, Sarah Hernandez 1, Alyssa Gracia 11, Taylor Calderon 8
Mercedes (51) — Jackie Flores 4, Erinn Ramirez 8, Victoria Anciso 6, Brianna Chacon 2, Deidra Barroso 9, Emily Ramirez 6, Mere Guevara 6, Summer Vento 8
RECORDS: Mercedes (21-9, 11-1); PSJA High (11-20, 6-6)

Donna high 48, Brownsville porter 29
Brownsville Porter 4 11 0 14 — 29
Donna High 10 6 17 15 — 48
Brownsville Porter (29) — Sabrina Garcia 13, Marquel Rivera 7, Danielle De Campo 6, Brissa Rivera 3
Donna High (48) — Laurynn Williams 9, Emily Cavazos 7, Marina Martinez 6, Ashlee Moreno 6, Allison Laredo 4, Aileen Garza 4, Edith Zuniga 4, Bridget Guillen 3, Desiree Hernandez 2, Daisy Rios 2, Sarah Gonzalez 1
RECORDS: Donna High (20-10, 11-1); Brownsville Porter (15-17, 7-5)

PSJA Southwest 51, Edcouch-Elsa 35
Edcouch-Elsa 2 7 9 17 — 35
PSJA Southwest 13 6 21 11 — 51
Edcouch-elsa (35) — Janie Herrera 15
PSJA SOUTHWEST (51) — Marilee Medellin 15, Daniella Hernandez 16
RECORDS: PSJA Southwest (8-19, 6-6); Edcouch-Elsa (10-22, 3-9)

District 32-4A
Raymondville 40, Grulla 31
Raymondville 12 19 31 — 40
Grulla 6 8 16 — 31
Raymondville (40) — Seana V. 11. Anika R. 2. Catelin S. 1. Mireya C. 10. Claudia M. 4. Anabell H. 6. Camille K. 6.
La grulla (31) — Kathy Garza 4. Delma Ozuna 11. Samantha Sifuentes 2. Tracey Villarreal 7. Gisselle Chapa 5. Maxine Solis 2.
RECORDS: Raymondville (15-15, 3-8); La Grulla (6-20, 2-9)

District 32-2A
Santa Maria 44, Bruini 17
Bruini 1 3 5 12 — 17
Santa Maria 10 10 4 20 — 44
Bruini (17) — not reported
Santa maria (44) — Gaby Gomez 12.
RECORDS: Santa Maria (4-4, 4-4), Bruni (not reported)

San Perlita 51, La villa 32
San Perlita 10 15 6 20 — 51
La Villa 8 9 8 7 — 32
San Perlita (51) — Desiree Sullivan 13. Justine Myquist 2. Sierra Nelson 4. Mariah Hernandez 8. Mia Maurer 15. Jennifer Delgado 6. Cecilia Oritz 4.
La Villa (32) — Salma Bernal 2. Amber Panales 8. Nikki Montelongo 4. Rudy Jo Garcia 9. Sarah Rubalcaba 6. Jasmine Flores 3.
RECORDS: San Perlita (21-5, 11-0); La Villa (8-13, 6-4)

BY JON R. LaFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

Jocelyn Martinez understood what was asked of her, but was dubious as to whether or not she could accomplish the task at hand.

The junior member of the Roma Gladiators swim team stood on a diving block at the Pharr Aquatics Center during the District 32-5A Swimming and Diving Championships. Martinez watched helplessly as the Sharyland High Rattlers relay team amassed a five second lead over Roma in the girls 400-yard freestyle relay. Martinez, the anchor, would be the last Gladiator to enter the water — the desperate team’s last hope for a gold medal.

With her goggles and cap tightly bound to her head, Martinez darted into the water with a mixture of grace and fortitude. She had only 100 yards to catch Sharyland’s Andrea Valdez.

“Oh no,” a Sharyland assistant coach moaned. “We don’t have a big enough lead.”

In methodical fashion, Martinez efficiently and ruthlessly tore through the pool with a level of exactness so remarkable it caused the Rattlers coaching staff to surrender the relay while they still held the top spot.

With 50 yards remaining, Martinez pulled even with Valdez before swimming away at the relay’s conclusion to hand Roma a first place finish with a time of 4 minutes, 4.24 seconds, good enough to beat Sharyland by a 1.26 second margin.

“It was really hard,” Martinez said. “At 50 (yards), I saw I was catching up to (Valdez). I told myself, ‘Let’s just do it.’”

Martinez’s performance in the 400 freestyle relay helped earn the 17-year-old the Female Athlete of the Meet honors. She won first place in every event in which she competed, including the 100 and 200 freestyle. Her perfect day in the pool propelled her to this week’s regional competition in Corpus Christi.

Not bad for a rookie.

Though Martinez is competing in her first year on the varsity team, she is far from a novice. In fact, the native of Monterrey, Mexico has arguably the most extensive background of any swimmer in the Valley.

Martinez began swimming when she was 7 years of age after her father, who can’t swim, encouraged her to learn. She also participated in diving and gymnastics, but says she stuck with the pool because of “adrenaline.”

“I like getting first place,” Martinez said. “I like that feeling of everything I work for showing.”

Though she learned to love the pool in landlocked Monterrey, Martinez undertook a more adventurous aquatic endeavor in the form of open water swimming, competing in the ocean waters of Cancun and Acapulco.

“I like swimming in the ocean,” she said. “You swim and you don’t see anything. It’s not like here where you swim back-and-forth four times. There’s no line. You make your own path.”

Martinez was 13 when she first swam in the ocean for a meet and was rudely introduced to the highly competitive, and highly confrontational, world of open water competition.

“It’s hard because everyone is pushing you and they push your head,” Martinez said. “It was only a 100-meter race, and I started crying because girls pushed my head under water. These girls had swam in the ocean for three years and they were on the same team. One girl was on my left and the other was on my right, and they just came after me. I was just like, ‘No don’t. Please just pass me. I don’t want to win. I just want to finish.’”

Finish she did, dejected and dour. But her desire remained despite it all.

“It’s really hard to swim in the ocean. But if you like swimming, you’re going to do it no matter what,” Martinez said. “I wanted to do it, so I wanted to train for it.”

Martinez moved to Roma this year, but was already familiar with the school’s swim program and its coach, Calvin Snyder. Snyder came to know of Jocelyn through her older sister Pamela, who was a member of the Gladiators swim team.

Martinez brings with her not just the experience of a childhood spent in the water, but a firm sense of determination to win. For her, swimming is more than an extracurricular activity, it’s a means by which she defines herself.

“I feel like for some kids in the Valley, it’s not a sport. It’s just a class they have to pass,” she said. “(Schools) need to motivate them more. They don’t care. They’ll miss a practice and act like it’s no big deal.”

It’s that very all-or-nothing attitude which endears Martinez to her coaches, who at times have to rein in her spirited ambition.

“She always says, ‘Coach I want to break my record,’ I tell her everything else comes with the training,” Roma assistant coach Omar Mireles said. “If you train hard and you work hard then you’ll get one.”

At the district championships in Pharr, Martinez eyed a pool record of under 2:00.0 in the 200 freestyle. Though she won gold in the event by more than 10 seconds, her final time was 2:00.07.

“She told me, ‘Coach, I swam ugly today,’ That’s just the way she thinks.” Mireles said. “I told her she didn’t, that she had another shot and to just relax.”

Though Martinez is comfortable with long-distance swimming, and has swum the 5K in Mexico as well as the 500-yard freestyle for Roma, Snyder deliberately placed her in shorter events with an eye towards getting his fastest swimmer to state competition.

This weekend, Martinez will once again swim with a sense of urgency, as if the weight of the entire ocean were on her back. All the while however, she’ll look to do what she did in Pharr – dominate while making the whole thing look easy.

[email protected]

District 31-6A Swimming and Diving Championship Results

Weslaco ISD Aquatic Center

Friday, Jan. 30

Girls 1-meter diving: 1, Carolina Carrillo, PSJA North, 244.50; 2, Merari Saldana, Edinburg Economedes, 137.95.

Boys 1-meter diving: 1, Jerry Silva, Edinburg North, 271.8; 2, Erik Gonzalez, Edinburg Economedes, 188.1.

Saturday, Jan. 31

Girls 200-yard freestyle: 1, Natalie Ybarr, PSJA North, 2:32.62; 2, Hellen Liu, Weslaco East, 2:33.31; 3, Cyanna Cano, Weslaco High, 2:37.84; 4, Larisa Horta, Weslaco High, 2:40.86; 5, Jalynne Garza, Edinburg North, 2:51.83; 6, Gabby Martinez, PSJA North, 2:59.0

Boys 200-yard freestyle: 1, David Garza, Edinburg High, 2:01.94; 2, Francisco Cerda, Weslaco High, 2:08.7; 3, Ismael Rebolloso, Weslaco High, 2:16.71; 4, Daniel Trevino, Weslaco High, 2:19.97; 5, Migeul Robledo, Edinburg North, 2:18.42; 6, Julian Solis, PSJA Memorial, 2:19.73.

Girls 200-yard individual medley: 1, Yeye Rodriguez, PSJA North, 2:47.44; 2, Vanessa Velazquez, Edinburg North, 2:58.13; 3, Sam Torrez, Edinburg North, 3:26.23; 4, Bianca Salinas, Edinburg North, 3:28.43; 5, Jacquelin Vaga, 3:46.28.

Boys 200-yard individual medley: 1, Derek Lopez, PSJA Memorial, 2:28.69; 2, Gilberto Rebolloso, 2:31.87; 3, Nicholas Cano, Weslaco High, 2:33.51; 4, Julen Guerrero, Edinburg High, 2:41.4; 5, Derek Cerelli, Edinburg North, 2:47.54; 6, Javier Aguirre, Edinburg High, 2:57.75.

Girls 50-yard freestyle: 1, Allison Tacderas, Edinburg High, 27.11; 2, Ayssa Villarreal, Weslaco High, 29.37; 3, Justine Cavazos, Weslaco High, 29.53; 4, Moran Parker, Weslaco High, 30.3; 5, Kendra Moreno, Edinburg North, 30.86; 6, Katelyn Lopez, Weslaco High, 30.96.

Boys 50-yard freestyle: Romeo Betancourt, Weslaco East, 24.96; 2, Eden Rodriguez, Edinburg High, 25.2; 3, Isaiah Crouse, Weslaco High, 25.69; 4, Daniel Marin, Edinburg North, 25.70; 5, Julian Abrego, Edinburg Economedes, 26.10; 6, Adrian Naciaceno, Edinburg North, 26.48.

Girls 100-yard butterfly: 1, Yeye Rodriguez, PSJA North, 1:15.51; 2, Helen Liu, Weslaco East, 1:19.37; 3, Abril Cantu, Edinburg North, 1:21.45; 4, Iris Torres, Weslaco High, 1:22.88; 5, Anika De Leon, Edinburg High, 1:36.10; 6, Lauren Ortiz, Edinburg North, 1:39.14.

Boys 100-yard butterfly: 1, Julen Guerrero, Edinburg High, 1:06.43; 2, Andre Rodriguez, PSJA North, 1:07.58; 3, Francisco Cerda, Weslaco High, 1:08.62; 4, Gilberto Rebolloso, Weslaco High, 1:08.63; 5, Romeo Betancourt, Weslaco East, 1:08.84; 6, Alonzo Rodriguez, Weslaco East, 1:12.42.

Girls 100-yard freestyle: 1, Allison Tacderas, Edinburg High, 1:01.65; 2, Julia Worley, PSJA North, 1:05.05; 3, Ayssa Villarreal, Weslaco High, 1:07.26; 4, Leslie Montemayor, PSJA Memorial, 1:08.39; 5, Justine Cavazos, Weslaco High, 1:08.77; 6, Katelyn Lopez, Weslaco High, 1:10.33.

Boys 100-yard freestyle: 1, David Garza, Edinburg High, 54.38; 2, Isaiah Crouse, Weslaco High, 55.50; 3, Eden Rodriguez, Edinburg High, 56.79; 4, Javier Aguirre, Edinburg High, 1:00.79; 5, Adrian Nacianceno, Edinburg North, 1:01.06; 6, Juan Galvan, Edinburg High, 1:01.71.

Girls 500-yard freestyle: 1, Leslie Montemayor, PSJA Memorial, 7:06.01; 2, Bianca Salinas, Edinburg North, 7:44.46; 3, Elaine Castillo, Weslaco High, 7:46.11; 4, Gabby Martinez, PSJA North, 7:52.66; 5, Jalynne Garza, Edinburg North, 7:55.48; 6, Caitlyn Rodriguez, Weslaco East, 8:14.95.

Boys 500-yard freestyle: 1, Andre Rodriguez, PSJA North, 5:47.78; 2, Nicholas Cano, Weslaco High, 6:09.61; 3, Jeremy Gonzalez, PSJA North, 6:24.57; 4, Ismael Rebolloso, Weslaco High, 6:31.51; 5, Zachary Budimir, Weslaco High, 6:32.67; 6, Justin Gonzalez, PSJA North, 6:42.54.

Girls 100-yard backstroke: 1, Morgan Park, Weslaco High, 1:16.80; 2, Natalie Ybarra, PSJA North, 1:19.15; 3, Kendra Moreno, Edinburg North, 1:22.63; 4, Andrea Bustos, Weslaco East, 1:23.88; 5, Lauren Ortiez, Edinburg North, 1:33.17; 6, Brianna Ordonez, Edinburg High, 1:43.09.

Boys 100-yard backstroke: 1, Adrian Cavaozos, Weslaco East, 1:04.59; 2, Julian Solis, PSJA Memorial, 1:09.42; 3, Bones Reyes, Edinburg Economedes ,1:13.09; 4, Andrew Rocco-Frank, PSJA Memorial, 1:17.56; 5, Joel Garcia, Weslaco high, 1:19.81; 6, Pasqual Barrienots, Weslaco East, 1:24.02.

Girls 100-yard breaststroke: 1, Julia Worley, PSJA North, 1:23.12; 2, Cyanna Cano, Weslaco High, 1:28.96; 3, Vanessa Valazquez, Edinburg North, 1:35.43; 4, Karli Maldonado, Edinburg High, 1:37.45; 5, Sam Torrez, Edinburg North, 1:40.37; 6, Maria Garza, Weslaco East, 1:41.26.

Boys 100-yard breaststroke: 1, Derek Lopez, PSJA Memorial, 1:16.28; 2, Emiliano Nuno, PSJA North, 1:20.34; 3, Marco Barragan, Edinburg High, 1:20.77; 4, Zachary Budimir, Weslaco High, 1:21.02; 5, Jose Flores, Weslaco East, 1:24.09; 6, Espinoza Dominiuque, PSJA Memorial, 1:29.81.

Girls team standings: 1, Weslaco High, 108; 2, PSJA North, 87; 3, Edinburg North, 84; 4, Weslaco East, 52; 5, Edinburg High, 51; 6, Edinburg Economedes, 30; 7, PSJA Memorial, 20.

Boys team standings: 1, Edinburg High, 106; 2, Weslaco High, 97; 3, Weslaco East, 58; 4, PSJA Memorial, 54; 5, PSJA North, 53; 6, Edinburg North, 52; 7, Edinburg Economedes, 29.

BY JON R. LAFOLLETTE | STAFF WRITER

WESLACO — Oscar Garza didn’t see it, he only heard about it through an observant parent after the fact. The Edinburg High Bobcats swimming coach was too busy focusing on his boys team in the 200-yard freestyle relay Saturday at the Weslaco ISD Aquatic Center.

But while Garza cheered his Bobcats to a first place finish with a time of 1 minute 42.36 seconds, an equally significant event occurred in the neighboring lane. The Weslaco High Panthers, Edinburg’s biggest competition throughout the afternoon, were disqualified. Judges waved the Panthers’ relay attempt after Isaiah Crouse entered the pool before teammate Francisco Cerda touched the wall.

The error negated what would have been a second-place Weslaco finish, and cleared the way for the Bobcats boys to take first place during the District 31-6A Swimming and Diving Championships. Edinburg edged the Panthers 106 points to 95 in the final boys standings.

Though Weslaco faulted, that’s not to say the Edinburg High boys didn’t earn their trophy. The team was consistent for the entirety of the meet. Aside from the 500-yard relay, the Bobcats finished in the top four in every event they competed in.

Junior David Garza, who was named Male Athlete of the Meet, won the gold medal in both the 200 freestyle (2:01.94) and the 100 freestyle (54.38).

“This has been the most stressful week of my life, not going to lie” David said. “I was nervous. Even if I’ve swam since sixth grade, I’m nervous every competition. But I have to let it all out and relax.”

David’s teammate, freshman Allison Tacderas, was awarded Female Athlete of the Meet after winning the 50 freestyle (27.11) and the 100 freestyle (1:01.65).

For coach Garza, Saturday was the culmination of a meticulous gameplan. He says it took him four hours to strategize for the meet, selecting which swimmers would participate in which event.

Though the Weslaco boys fell short, the Lady Panthers won top prize in the girls competition with 108 points. The highlight for the team came during the 200 freestyle relay with a first-place time of 1:52.24 – setting a new school record.

“All year, they’ve been very determined to get (the record),” Weslaco swimming coach Justin Esparza said. “I told them that in order to get it, they need to do certain things. Every single meet I was on top of them and making sure they were on top of themselves.”

The Lady Panthers’ first place showing as a team came in spite of winning just one individual event – Morgan Parker in the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:16.80. Rather than striking gold, Weslaco’s girls collected a plethora of silver and bronze.

“Every top three, there was typically more than one Weslaco,” Esparza said. “I knew they were doing they’re job. This is what they’ve been working so hard for. That was awesome. That brought a lot of joy.”

PSJA North swimming, in just its second year of existence, placed second thanks in part to a strong showing from junior Yeye Rodriguez, who won gold in the 200 IM (2:47.44) and the 100 butterfly (1:15.51).

Varsity swimmers and relay teams who placed in the top six in their respective events will participate at regional competition next week at the Margaret M. Clark Aquatic Center in Brownsville.

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Girls scores and box scores from 1.30.15

District 30-6A

La Joya Palmview 57, Mission High 34

McAllen High 37, La Joya 21

McAllen Rowe 43, McAllen Memorial 29

District 31-6A

Edinburg High 54, PSJA Memorial 35

PSJA North 77, Edinburg Economedes 49

Weslaco High 60, Eidnburg North 30

District 32-6A

Brownsville Hanna 50, Brownsville Lopez 25

Brownsville Veterans 37, San Benito 14

Harlingen 52, Los Fresnos 38

Harlingen South 55, Brownsville Rivera 35

District 31-5A

Edinburg Vela 63, Valley View 12

Mission Veterans 33, Sharyland Pioneer 22

Roma 45, Sharyland High 32

District 32-5A

Brownsville Pace 42, Brownsville Porter 20

Donna High 30, PSJA High 16

Mercedes 48, Edcouch-Elsa 32

PSJA Southwest 38, Donna Norht 23

District 32-4A

La Feria 54, Progreso 12

Port Isabel 48, Grulla 47

Rio Hondo 39, Raymondville 19

Zapata vs. Hidalgo, not reported

La Sara at San Perlita, not reported

District 32-3A

Santa Rosa 40, Mote Alto 22

Edinburg IDEA at Brownsville IDEA, not reported

Non-District

Juan Diego Academy 50, H.O.P.E. Homeschool 45

District 30-6A

La Joya Palmview 57, Mission High 34

La Joya Pamview 13 14 16 15 — 57

Mission High 7 10 7 10 — 34

La Joya palmview (57) — Brittany Cano 8; Samantha Gutierrez 19; Monica Noyola 15; ; Christina Chavez 4; Cyendar Nagallon 4; Marta Bocanegra 5

Mission high (34) — Emberly Garza 9; Amanda Garza 8; Ashly Diaz 1; Daniella Perez 12; Bianney Vasquez 2; Brittany Garza 2

RECORDS: La Joya Palmview 18-9 (7-2); Mission High 7-23 (2-8)

Mcallen Rowe 43, McAllen Memorial 29

McAllen Memorial 8 8 6 7 — 29

McAllen Rowe 8 16 9 10 — 43

McAllen Memorial (29) — Ebony Johnson 13, Victoria Izaguirre 6, Haley Caldwell 4, Andrew Garcia 4, Draik Banks 2

McAllen Rowe (43) — Vanessa Leal 3, Jovanni Solis 2, Deanna Spear 13, Mayda Garcia 13, Victoria Tarbutton 3, Ryela Rodriguez 7, Jocelyn Pena 2

RECORDS: McAllen Memorial (15-14, 6-4); McAllen Rowe (18-12, 8-1)

District 31-6A

Edinburg High 54, PSJA Memorial 35

Edinburg High 12 14 19 9 — 54

PSJA Memorial 8 11 10 6 — 35

EDINBURG HIGH (54) — Jayla Santamaria 8; Kiana Ramirez 3; Reyna Del Castillo 10; Emily Acosta 2; Mercedes Hernandez 7; Jennifer Galvan 21; Natalie Roxburgh 3

PSJA MEMORIAL (35) — Alex Soto 9; Monique Del Leon 6; Emily Rivera 3; Ally Gonzalez 4; Emily Garcia 3; Katherine Facundo 2; Kayla Anguiano 7; Madison Garza 1

RECORDS: Edinburg High (22-10, 6-4); PSJA Memorial (10-20, 0-10)

District 31-5A

Roma 45, Sharyland High 32

Sharyland High 4 8 9 11 — 32

Roma 12 10 14 9 — 45

Roma (45) — Yoselin Barajas 4; Annete Jasso 7; Luz Gonzalez 12; Denise Pena 14; Casandra Rocha 3; Diana Gonzalez 5

Sharyland High (32) — N; Carretero 3; S; Reyes 2; B; Flores 3; N; Portilo 4; B; Rodriguez 3; S; Trevino 5; A; Marshall 9; N; Garza 3

Records: Roma 18-12 (6-4); Sharyland High 17-13 (4-5)

Mission Veterans 33, Sharyland Pioneer 22

Mission Veterans 8 8 10 7 — 33

Sharyland Pioneer 2 2 2 16 — 22

Mission veterans (33) — R. Silva 6; A. De La Garza 8; A. Lopez 2; D. Ibarra 3; M. Torres 11; H. Davis 3

Sharyland pioneer (22) — Chelsea Chandler 2; Ashley Briseno 8; Kayla Alaniz 2; Miranda Ramos 6; Melissa De Leon 2; Jasmine Montoya 2

RECORDS: Mission Veterans 18-11 (7-2); Sharyland Pioneer 3-27 (1-9)

Edinburg vela 63, Valley View 12

Edinburg Vela 12 19 17 15 — 63

Valley View 0 0 5 7 — 12

Edinburg vela (63) — J; Mohammad 11; J; Cuellar 2; B; Cortez 7; A; Rodriguez 8; N; Washington 5; T; Garza 2; M; Garrett 3; L; Garcia 10; T; Loredo 7; E; villarreal 7

Valley View (12) — N; Del Angel 2; E; Saenz 10

RECORDS: Valley View 6-18 (1-8); Edinburg Vela 21-8 (10-0)

District 32-5A

Donna High 30, PSJA High 16

Donna High 5 6 6 13 — 30

PSJA High 0 6 5 5 — 16

Donna High (30) — Sarah Gonzalez 3; Alison Loredo 10; Marina Martinez 4; Emily Cavazos 2; Laurynn Williams 4; Bridget Guillen 2; Aileen Garza 5

Psja High (16) — Mariah West 4; Mallory Mancha 3; Sarah Jo Hernandez 2; Erin Castaneda 2; Elisa Gracia 2; Bekah Trevino 1; Taylor Calderon 2

RECORDS: PSJA High 11-9 (6-5); Donna High 19-10 (10-1)

District 32-2A

San Isidro 41, Bruni 34

Bruni 6 7 5 16 — 34

San Isidro 16 6 4 15 — 41

Bruni (34) — K. Garza 1, Z. Jones 5, A. Saenz 13, E. Gonzalez 1, S. Landero 6, C. Flores 1, P. Saenz 4

San Isidro (41) — Kelsie Alvarado 2, Maria Sanchez 1, Alyssa Alvarado 9, Yesica Lirio 2, Oliva Galvan 13, Amy Solis 6, Jassenia Beltran 8

Non-District

Non-District

Juan Diego Academy 50, H.O.P.E. Homeschool 45

H.O.P.E. Homeschool 17 11 8 9 — 45
Juan Diego Academy 12 13 17 8 — 50

Juan Diego Academy (45) — Jasmine Long 24; Karla Long 11; Madeline Ayala 6; Paulina Camara 5; Amanda Arevalo 2; Shelsea Ramirez 2

RECORDS: Juan Diego Academy 17-4 (7-0); H.O.P.E. Homeschool not reported