KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

LA FERIA — Senior runner Reyes Rodriguez put a stamp on a successful career at La Feria High School as he qualified for the UIL state meet in both cross country and track three out of his four years.

Rodriguez will hit Highway 77 this fall as he signed a letter of intent to run both sports at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

“I was nervous about my signing day,” Rodriguez said Tuesday. “I have a lot of family and friends here today, and that means a lot to me. This has always been a goal of mine. Last summer I realized I could compete at the next level and from there on out I wanted to compete.”

The 6-foot-2 athlete will compete in the 800 and in the mile at TAMUK.

During Rodriguez’s sophomore season he placed fifth in the 800 at state then during his junior year he took home a second-place finish in the same event.

But he wasn’t done there as earlier this month he capped off his high school track career in style by winning state gold in the 800.

“I run every Saturday and Sunday, and I run at my house and after school. I’m always working,” Rodriguez said. “Kingsville reached out to me last year and we kept in contact. A lot of other schools from out of the state contacted me, but I wanted to stay close to home.

“The competition is going to be tough (at TAMUK). The guys up there are very fast, but looking back on my time here at La Feria, winning state is the best memory I have.”

With Rodriguez’s accomplishments he has helped set the bar high for the underclassmen and led by example in his time in a Lions uniform.

“This is something that started four years ago. As a freshman he came in and was a workhorse,” said La Feria track coach Evie Sanchez. “He qualified for state as a sophomore and qualified his junior year, but both those years he knew he could do more. His senior year he worked extra hard and got his gold metal; it was a goal he set from the start of the year. He led by example; he lets his work do the talking for him.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

HARLINGEN — Despite it being the final week of the school year for Harlingen High, the college signings keep coming.

On Tuesday, the Cards saw senior third baseman Boedy Flores sign a letter of intent to play baseball at Northeast Texas Community College in Mt. Pleasant.

“This is one of the biggest days of my life,” Flores said. “This is something that I have worked for from my junior high school days through my high school days. It’s been a great process and it’s exciting to see it come together.”

Last week Nathan Ramon signed his letter of intent to play baseball at St. Edwards in Austin and on Tuesday Flores became the 10th Harlingen High athlete to sign on and play at the college level.

“Playing on my select team, the Sliders, opened up doors for me and I was able to meet their (NTCC) coaches, and it is a great program and I’m excited to be a part of it,” Flores said. “Very few guys get the chance to play at the college level. It’s special to be a part of a group of guys that are going to play at the next level; it means the world to me.”

Flores plans to continue playing third base where he excelled and was named to the District 32-6A first-team three times and was a part of two postseason berths his junior and senior years.

“At the high school level, most of us are playing at the same level, but in college a lot of the guys are very good and probably better than you, so it will be a challenge,” Flores said. “The field and facilities were beautiful; baseball is one of the main sports there, so it is great to be a part of a school that is big on baseball.”

Northeast Texas is a Division 1 junior college and is part of one of the toughest leagues in the state playing against perennial powers like Angelina College and Hill College.

“After my two years, I hope to get drafted. If not I don’t mind going to a four-year school, playing and finishing my studies.” Flores said.

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

SAN BENITO — Another area student-athlete is headed to Kerrville soon.

On Friday, San Benito basketball star Aaron Medrano became the latest to sign a letter of intent to play at Schreiner University. Medrano made it official Friday afternoon as he will exchange his purple and gold for maroon next school year.

“This is surreal,” Medrano said. “It hasn’t hit me yet and I don’t know when it will. This is a great moment for me and I’ll remember it for the rest of my life. It was very stressful going through the recruiting process; I was trying to find the best fit for myself along with the education side of it as well.”

Medrano will join fellow Hounds hoops star Miranda Vallejo, who will also be playing basketball at Schreiner this fall.

“This is what I have worked for over the last 12 years,” Medrano said. “I have worked on my game and my craft, and being able to have another four years is phenomenal. There is a lot of rehab that goes into playing, just taking care of your body and getting it ready for the next game. When I was a freshman, I made it a goal of mine to play at the college level.”

Medrano spent three years on the varsity squad and directed the Hounds’ offense at the point guard position. This year Medrano was named second team all-district.

Hounds head coach Eddie Abrego had high praise and sound advice for Medrano.

“My advice to him would be to continue to give it his best and to remain focused on his goals. Aaron has been an inspiration both physically and mentally. He also was a great leader and he did everything we asked him to,” Abrego said. “His biggest characteristic is he believes (in himself) and now he is going to play at the college level, and I wish him the best.”

Kevin Narro | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — Harlingen South senior Jorge Garcia secured his college future by signing his letter of intent Thursday afternoon. Garcia who is a four-year letterman will play Tennis at Concordia University in Austin next school year.

“My signing day was very nerve wrecking,” Garcia said. “I’m ready for a new journey and excited to head to Austin. I started playing this game when I was very young. From the start I loved this game and always wanted to play at the next level.”

Concordia presented Garcia with plenty of opportunities on the court and in the classroom. It’s what drew Garcia to Concordia, along with his plan to major in kinesiology.

“Concordia was very outgoing and I liked what they had to present,” said Garcia. “Campus was very beautiful, I enjoyed my visit it was very green. My message to the underclassmen would be to chase your dream and to continue the work on and off the court.”

Garcia wrapped up a strong senior campaign and was nominated for boys tennis player of the year for the 2018 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet.

In the fall Garcia dominated in singles action with a perfect 17-0 record and won three tournaments in the spring. Garcia also brought home a district 32-6A singles title and advanced to the Region IV-6A tournament in San Antonio.

Out of the four years, Garcia was crowned district champ three times and qualified for regional’s three of the four years.

“My best memory here at South would be performing in front of our vice principle and getting recognized by him,” Garcia said.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — Nathan Ramon will continue his baseball career at St. Edwards University in Austin. Ramon saw all his work and efforts pay off when he signed his name on the dotted line Thursday afternoon.

“It’s just pure excitement, putting the pen to paper it is a dream come true,” Ramon said. “I was a little nervous, but this is something that I have worked for and dreamed about for a long time.”

Ramon spent three seasons on the varsity squad and was a three-time all-district catcher. Ramon helped guide the Cards to two straight playoff berths last year and this year.

“My recruiting process took a lot longer than I anticipated,” said Ramon. “I spoke to a few schools, but I knew St. Edwards was just the place for me. I had spoken to their coach and he had already seen me play over the summer. Austin isn’t far from Harlingen, so that is a plus.”

Not only did Ramon shine on the diamond, but excelled in the classroom. Ramon will graduate as the valedictorian next month. Ramon plans on majoring in political science. Ramon was also named second team academic All-State.

“Being valedictorian is a big honor and I’m very humbled by everyone who has congratulated me,” Ramon said. “I have always been driven to be a student first and work hard in the classroom and on the field. I always focused on school that is something I learned growing up from my family. I enjoy learning and I love playing baseball, I make sure my school work comes first, then baseball.”

Ramon plans on sticking to the catching position but is also open to playing third and first base if called upon. Ramon is also one of six members of this year’s club to sign on to play at the college level.

“Catcher will be my primary position, but I’m willing to move around the infield if they need me too,” said Ramon. “Baseball in the Valley is growing, and we’re trying to do great things here at Harlingen High. This is something we take a lot pride in; we all have put in our work.

“The pace of the game and the high level that they will be playing at will be tough. I just need to continue working this summer and get on the same playing field, but once I get there I will be OK.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

LOS FRESNOS — Each year high school athletes sign on to play at the college level. It has become a common theme for athletes here in the Valley.

However, Los Fresnos’ senior Claire Cherrington shook it up a bit when the senior became the first athlete from Los Fresnos High School to sign a letter of intent in equestrian riding to Schreiner University in Kerrville.

“It was an exciting experience getting to tour the campus,” Cherrington said. “They presented their different sports in their dining hall and by this time I had already spoken with their coach. I reached out to Schreiner and I applied and got accepted. I got to meet a few of the girls, it was surreal because at first I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it there, but when I sat and talked with the coach it was all like a dream come true for me.”

In the fall, Schreiner is expanding its varsity programs with groups that will compete against other colleges. Some of the new varsity programs are band, cheerleading, choir, wrestling and equestrian riding.

“Riding horses definitely takes a lot of work,” Cherrington said. “It’s not like throwing or catching a ball, the horse has a mind of its own, and when you’re on an equestrian team, you don’t ride your own horse. You ride a strange horse that you watch someone else ride. The challenge is you get maybe five minutes with that horse and you have to go out and compete with it. You have to perform as best you can and do your best to control the horse.”

Cherrington will be a part of the inaugural season under coach Ashley Brune.

“I think there will be a lot of learning curves, our coach has a lot of experience,” said Cherrington. I don’t think it will be too much of a challenge, but it will be something different.”

Cherrington is no stranger to riding horses, it is something she has a passion for and has grown up doing. She began competing nationally when she was in junior high and kept her career going throughout her high school career.

She began competing on the national level under the American Quarter Horse Assn. Through her time in the saddle, Cherrington has had a successful career with various awards in the All Around Classes in performance from Aggie Circuit, San Antonio Livestock show scholarship, Reserve Champion in horsemanship from the National Snaffle Bit Assn. along with winning the Champion Novice Youth award.

“It is hard for me to wake up in the morning, I love my sleep,” Cherrington said. “It’s going to be different not having my mom coming in and turning on my light, it’s going to be hard not having someone there, but I’m very independent but I’m ready, I’m excited. I have a few friends that ride horses and I get asked about the sport. Most people don’t know you can compete at the college level.”

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

HARLINGEN — Senior Sky Tatum has had a busy schedule over the last month. He recently competed in the UIL state track meet and this past weekend played his final high school football game at the RGVCA All-Star game in Weslaco.

Earlier this year, Tatum signed a letter of intent to play football and run track at Texas Lutheran University. But on Monday he decided to stay closer to home and focus on track as he inked a letter to attend the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley.

“The track coaches at UTRGV had a big impact on me signing there,” Tatum said. “Signing at a Division I college and going up against that level of competition is something I’m not too worried about. I know I will have to continue to train hard, and do my best and the rest will fall into place.”

Tatum qualified for the state meet for the first time in his career earlier this month and at state he finished sixth in the discus with a throw of 179-01.
Prior to Tatum’s march to state, he was a district, area and regional champion, and also placed second at the Texas Relays.

“One thing I will have to adjust to is the different type of implement I’ll be throwing with along with the different events I’ll be competing in.” Tatum said.
Harlingen South track coach Ralph De La Rosa had high praise for Tatum.

“Sky set the tone from the beginning and showed the rest of the team that he had their back,” De La Rosa said. “He was also a great example of a team player, and always knew his role and took pride in his work. He will be missed and it’s going to be tough losing him, but I can’t wait to see what he gets done at UTRGV.”

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

Santa Rosa senior hoopster AB Lozoya laced up the basketball shoes one last time in his high school career as he represented the Valley at the annual Texas Association of Basketball Coaches All-Star game this past Saturday at Trinity University in San Antonio.

He was joined in the Alamo City by Warriors head coach Johnny Cipriano, who was tabbed the head coach for the all-star team Lozoya was on.

Lozoya’s squad picked up a 97-95 win in overtime as he scored two points in the win.

The Valley Morning Star had a chance to catch up with Lozoya after the contest to talk about his experience.

—

Q: How did you get selected to play in this all-star game and what was your reaction when you got the news?
AB: I honestly have no idea how I was selected. I was just surprised when Coach told me. I didn’t know there was another all-star game and knowing that it was all-state was just crazy.

Q: You and Coach Cipriano were the lone representatives from the RGV. What does that mean to you?
AB: It was nice knowing that we were representing the Valley because we are from a small school and a lot of people like to believe that the small schools can’t really play ball or other sports as well as the bigger schools. This just proves that it doesn’t matter where you’re from and that anything is possible with God, and doing this alongside my coach was extra special.

Q: How important are these all-star games as far as helping to get looked at by colleges?
AB: These all-star games help with getting looked at by coaches because you’re playing against the best of the best and if you’re shining during these games they’ll look at you for sure. This is where coaches get to see how you perform against so much talent, so that’s why I believe these games are important to players.

Q: What was it like playing with different players from across the state?
AB: Practice was actually really fun even though Coach tried killing us by running so much. But meeting the players from my team was great. They were really cool people who were nice and funny. You also get to see how good players from across the state are and how tall they are as well.

Q: What where some things you may have learned from this experience?
AB: I learned how different a lot of us are, but how great they are, too. It also felt like we were actually playing college ball and how fun it probably is to do it.

Q: What is your best memory from playing in an all-star game like this?
AB: The best memory would be getting to play for my coaches one last time. Getting to spend extra time with them was awesome because they are awesome coaches who seem to care a lot about me. They’ve always believed in me, and I was just glad that I was able to play one last time for them and spend time with them before I was officially done with sports.

KEVIN NARRO | Valley Morning Star

SINTON—The San Benito Lady Greyhounds’ 2018 softball season came to an abrupt end Friday night after a 10-0 Class 6A regional semifinal loss to New Braunfels Canyon at Sinton High School.

Canyon will now await the winner between San Antonio Warren and Edinburg Vela in the Region IV-6A final next week.

Canyon jumped on the Lady Hounds early, including a three-run homer in the fourth inning by Sydney Belvin that gave Canyon a comfortable 8-0 lead after five.

From there pitchers Brooke Vestal and Aliyah Pritchett took over and held the Lady Hounds’ offense to just three hits.

“The kids played tough and kept fighting,” said Lady Hounds coach Denise Lira. “We tried to find ways to get things going, but it just didn’t work.”

San Benito was in the Sweet 16 for the first time since the 2015 season and, despite the loss, has plenty of optimism for 2019.

AJ Jasso, Nana Carrizales and Sarah Garcia are some key names returning to the lineup next season.

“We’re going to miss our seniors. We just talked about how they were our core group – all five of them – and we will miss them.” said Lira.

Senior catcher Joanna Gonzalez is one of the five seniors that leave behind a legacy and winning tradition.

“I felt I got where I needed to be as a player,” Gonzalez said. “Leaving these girls will hurt. I told the younger girls that if they want the spot, work hard because that is how you’re going to get it.”

San Benito had opportunities in the third and fifth innings, loading the bases twice, but they failed to capitalize.

Gonzalez finished 0 for 1 at the plate with a pair of walks while Garcia went 2 for 3. The Lady Hounds finished with just three hits with April Garcia collecting the third hit.

“We had some missed opportunities and we struggled a little bit bringing runs home, and that is something we normally do. We had a good game plan at the plate, but it didn’t go our way tonight.” Lira said.

KEVIN NARRO | Staff Writer

SAN BENITO — Junior AJ Jasso is no stranger to San Benito softball. Jasso grew up watching the Lady Hounds and saw her older sister Amber Jasso reach the state tournament in 2015.

Now it is Jasso’s turn to write her own legacy. The junior provides a steady bat with some home run pop and is a utility guru who can play the middle infield and has spent some time in the outfield.

Against Eagle Pass, Jasso swatted a two run homer and laced in a double in a 5-4 win that sent the Lady Hounds to a series win and a birth to the Sweet 16.

The Valley Morning Star had a chance to catch up with Jasso.

—

Q: How has this week’s practice been for you all?

AJ: It was okay at first, but then we picked it up quick and got down to business. We worked hard and finished strong.

Q: Growing up watching San Benito softball, and now you’re a part of it, what does that mean to you?

AJ: It was my high school dream as a middle school student to become apart of what was know as a successful program and still is. I thank god for this opportunity to let me play for the community & my teammates.

Q: Your sister played for San Benito, how often does she give you advice or tips?

AJ: Usually on game days she’ll come in my room and talk to me about the game and to show out and play for my teammates.

Q: What are your hobbies outside of softball?

AJ: I actually play the Cello. But when I play it they tell me to be quiet because I’m too loud. I’m not bad at it, I’m really good. I’m Just TOO loud.

Q: You have spent some time in the outfield and infield how do you handle playing more than one position?

AJ: Coach (Denise) Lira has helped me a lot with that. I have to usually double up on the work with both positions so I can get good work in and experience being out there.

Q: If you could have dinner with anyone in history who would it be?

AJ: ACDC’s Angus Young, he is and will always be the man.

Q: If you had three wishes what would they be?

AJ:
To not get bronchitis AGAIN.
Live a long successful life.
Make Tina Turner young again.

Q: You wear the number 11, any meaning behind it?

AJ: An old coach of mine told me “Two ones is better than one 1, more is better than less.” I really liked what he said, so thank you Roan.

Q: Tell us something about yourself we might not know?

AJ: I sing in the shower all the time.

Q: What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

AJ: COCO.