SAN JUAN — The Sharyland High Rattlers boys soccer team defeated PSJA Southwest Javelinas 2-1 on Friday.

After coming into the second period down by one, the Rattlers converted off a penalty kick that helped turn the momentum of the game in their favor.

Sharyland extended its win streak to 6-0 and remain the only undefeated team in District 31-5A.

“ It was a tough game with a very good opponent and they gave it their all, and we did the same thing,” Sharyland head coach Reveriano Hernandez said.

Sharyland High’s Derek Garza connected off the penalty kick to tie the game in the second period during the 19th minute.

“ We had to dig a little deeper tonight,” Hernandez said. “I like the way the guys reacted and were able to score in the end.”

Sharyland High’s Marcelo Ancer scored for the Rattlers in the 16th minute to lift the club to its 2-1 lead.

The Rattlers held off the Javelinas last stand closing off the gaps on their way to win.

PSJA Southwest’s Brandon Tamayo lifted the Javelinas to its 1-0 lead in the first period.

Tamayo scored off a deflected shot on goal by his teammate to take the early lead.

The Javelinas held on to the lead heading into halftime with the help of goalkeeper Hugo Ramirez, a senior who waved off multiple shots on goal to help keep the lead heading into the midway point of the contest.

The Javelinas are 4-2 in district.

RATTLER GIRLS WIN, IMPROVE TO 4-0

Sharyland High’s Chloe Ribera scored the Rattlers first of four goals on their way to defeating PSJA Southwest’s Javelinas 4-0 in their contest Friday.

Ribera scored her second goal in the second period.

Teammate Xochitl Nguma scored two goals to help lift the Rattlers to their victory.

“ They played through, they were very aggressive, well coached,” Sharyland High head coach Mario Ribera said. “We were lucky to get a goal early in the game and it gave us a lot of confidence to move the ball.”

The Rattlers are 6-0 in district and 24-1-2 on the season.

The Javelinas are 1-4-1 in district.

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PSJA Memorial’s Abel Alvarado finished third at the UIL state wrestling tournament last year. On Saturday, Alvarado will be back on the mat after a successful district campaign to grapple his way back to the promise land.

“ You won’t see him brag, you won’t hear him talk about it, but once he steps on the mat he’s somebody,” PSJA Memorial head coach Joe Clark said. “Abel has got the heart of a lion. This year we are aiming a little bit higher, we have our goals and we stay humble.”

Alvarado, a senior, is carrying a 19-1 record in the 106-pound division and is a three-time district champion.

Alvarado and the Wolverines’ wrestling team is one of 10 boys and 10 girls teams that will compete at the UIL Region IV-5A tournament Saturday.

The tournament will be held at the Austin Independent School District Delco Activity Center in Austin.

“ Now it’s go time,” Alvarado said. “I have to go in with a good mentality and go ahead and take it.”

The teams and number of boys in Class 5A who qualified for regionals were Donna High (2), Edcouch – Elsa (11), Grulla (3), La Joya Palmview (1), Mission Veterans Memorial (2), Sharyland High (6), Sharyland Pioneer (10), Valley View (3), PSJA Memorial (5), PSJA Southwest (1), Rio Grande City (5).

Donna High (4), Edcouch-Elsa (4), Grulla (1), La Joya Palmview (4), Mission Veterans (1), Valley View (2), PSJA Memorial (6), PSJA Southwest (1), and Rio Grande City (5) will represent the girls in 5A.

The top boys and girls who placed in district in 6A will travel to compete at the UIL Region IV-6A state qualifying tournament Saturday in San Antonio at the Littleton Gymnasium.

The teams and number of boys in 6A who qualified for regionals are Donna North (6), Edinburg High (10), Edinburg Economedes (5), Edinburg North (7), Edinburg Vela (7), La Joya High (7), La Joya Juarez-Lincoln (12), Los Fresnos (14), McAllen High (7), McAllen Memorial (2), McAllen Rowe (6), Mission High (6), PSJA High (9), PSJA North (7).

The number of teams and girls who qualified in 6A is Donna North (5), Edinburg High (3), Edinburg Economedes (6), Edinburg North (10), Edinburg Vela (3), La Joya High (7), La Joya Juarez-Lincoln (6), McAllen High (6), McAllen Memorial (5), McAllen Rowe (1), Mission High (3), PSJA High (8) and PSJA North (3).

Each wrestler at regionals will be pooled into 16-man brackets, and only the top four moves on to state competition slated in Houston next weekend.

“ Regionals is going to be a tough one,” Clark said. “It is the cream of the crop in the entire region. When you’re talking about state, you’re talking about the crème de la crème, the very elite. To make it to regionals is awesome. We are real fortunate we have — not just PSJA Memorial but all the other Valley schools that are wrestling at regionals.”

WRESTLERS TO WATCH

Mission High’s heavyweight Dante Lopez in the 285 pound weight-class is entering the competition 30-2. He has not lost a match in the Valley.

McAllen Rowe’s Petey Lozano enters the competition in the 160-pound weight class with a 17-2 record.

McAllen High’s Roberto Delgado has a 37-6 record in the 138 pound weight-class.

Edinburg Vela’s Humberto Alcala is riding a 19-0 recorded in the 160 pound weight-class.

Edinburg High’s Josiah Sloss racked up a 31-3 record on his junior campaign heading to regionals.

Edinburg High’s Emmanuel Duron put up a 36-5 record in his first year wrestling in the 220-pound weight-class.

La Joya High’s Michael De La Cruz is entering the tournament riding a 40-4 record in the 152 pound division.

In the girls ranks, among the many wrestlers to watch are Edinburg High’s Tanya Mendoza enters the tourney with a 33-7 record in the 110-pound weight class.

Edinburg Economedes’ Arlysa Sierra has a 26-2 record in the 165 pound weight-class.

Edinburg North’s Eva Cerda will look to punch her ticket back to state entering the tourney with a 35-2 record.

PSJA High’s 110-pound wrestler, Nayeli Hernandez, is heading into regionals with a 22-1 record.

Sharyland High’s Jerilyn Peralez pounded her way to regionals in the 95-pound weight-class and is entering the tourney with a 26-3 record.

“ Heading to regionals, hopefully I will move on to state and I’m going to put more work into my practice,” Peralez said.

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HS Boys/Girls Wrestling

2020 UIL Boys Region 4-6A

at Littleton Gymnasium,

San Antonio

Saturday Feb. 14-15

Boys Qualifiers

Donna North

138 pound, Noyola, Jahaziel, 12, 12-16; 195 pound, Perez, Carlos, 12, 9-6; 220 pound, Miron, Bayton, 11, 2-1; 170; Alternate, Macias, Dominic, 11, 7-10; 182, Alternate; Resendez, Juan, 12,7-12; 285 Alternate, Galvan, Misael, 12, 4-9.

Edinburg High

106 pound, Sloss, Josiah, 11, 31-3; 113 pound, Leal, Alberto, 9, 2-1; 120 pound, Solis, Isaac, 10, 24-20; 126 pound, Lopez, Emiliano, 0-0; 138 pound, Mendoza, Manuel, 11, 11-6; 145 pound, Diaz, Efren,10, 16-10; 220 pound, Duron, Emmanuel, 11, 36-5; 285 pounds, Rodriguez, Javier, 11, 25-10; 132 pound, Alternate, Basaldu, Mark,10, 24-11; 195 pound, Alternate, Rico, Pedro, 10, 14-16.

Edinburg Economedes

126 pound, Hernandez, Juan, 12, 18-4; 132 pound, Del angel, Julian, 9, 17-8; 195 pound, Velez, Esdras, 12, 23-4; 138 Alternate, Garcia, Adrian, 11, 15-8; 145 pound, Alternate, Hinojosa, David, 9, 3-6.

Edinburg North

126 pound, Aleman, Andrew J.,10, 20-8; 138 pounds, Chavez, Michealangelo, 10, 21-7; 145 pound, Olivarez, Luis A., 10, 18-10; 152 pound, Maldonado, Moises, 11, 25-4; 195 pound, Garcia, Christopher J., 11, 32-9; 106 Alternate, Juarez, Christian a., 9, 0-2; 120 Alternate, Guerra, Rogelio, 10, 13-7.

Edinburg Vela

106 pound, Pena, Aaron, 9, 8-3; 120 pound Silva, Nicholas, 10, 21-9; 160 pound Alcala, Humberto, 12, 19-0; 170 pound, Arguello, Erik, 11, 11-4; 285 pound Leal, Chris, 11, 9-3; 113 pound, Alternate, Martinez, Jaaron,10, 1-3; 220 pound, Alternate, Rodriguez, Brian, 11, 11-7.

La Joya High

113 pound, Garza, Brandon, 10, 34-9; 120 pound, Ochoa, Andres, 10, 32-7; 145 pound, Gonzalez, Jacob, 12, 36-2; 152 pound, De la Cruz, Micheal, 11, 40-4; 182 pound, Rios, Antonio, 10, 11-9; 220 pound, Zamarripa, Rodolfo, 11, 25-11; 285 pound, Alternate, Quintana, Jason, 11, 1-3.

La Joya Juarez-Lincoln

106 pound, Bonilla, Jorge, 9, 12-7; 120 pound, Arismendiz, Jesus, 9,15-4; 126 pound, Doria, Carlos, 12, 15-0; 132 pound, Cerda, Jose, 12, 17-0; 145 pound, Gloria, Abel, 10, 22-6; 152 pound, Garcia, Andy, 13-11; 170 pound, Torres, Manuel, 12,10-4; 182 pounds, Hernandez, Kenth, 12, 5-1; 195 pound, Bonilla, Willi, 12, 18-1; 220 pound, Hernandez, Arian, 10-2; 285 pound, Tijerina, Mario, 11, 18-5; 160 pound, Alternate, Lugo, Gustavo, 11, 16-6.

Los Fresnos

106 pound, Almeida, Thiago, 10, 17-3; 113 pound, Thompson, Hunter, 9, 16-12; 120 pound, Rodriguez, Roman, 12, 23-1; 126 pound, Sosa, Fabian, 12, 16-4; 132 pound, Sauceda, Edgar, 12,12-9; 138 pound, Ponce, Kevin, 12,16-9; 145 pound, Solis, Ahram, 12, 2-0; 152 pound, Cadengo, Daniel, 11, 23-10; 160 pound, Trevino, Noah, 11, 22-10; 170 pound, Schulte, Sky, 11, 11-4; 182 pound, Silva, Derek, 10, 5-7; 195 pound, Hernandez, Samuel, 12, 14-0; 220 pound, Guerrero, Leeroy, 12, 14-4, 285 pound, Briones, Oziel, 10, 7-5.

McAllen High

132 pound, Garcia, Joshua, 10, 15-9. 138 pound, Delgado, Roberto, 12, 37-6; 160 pound, Trevino, Nicolas, 11,33-11; 170 pound, Garza II, Americo, 12, 16-1; 182 pound, Palomo, Jonathan, 12, 5-1; 195 pound, Arroyo, Salomon, 9, 15-11; 152 Alternate, Astudillo, Roman, 12, 5-3.

McAllen Memorial

182 pound, Munoz, Albert, 12, 27-8; 220 pound, Webber, William, 10, 6-8;

McAllen Rowe

106 pound, Gallegos, Aaron, 10, 19-13; 113 pound, Aleman, Andy, 11, 10-9; 152 pound,

Lozano, Petey, 12, 17-2; 160 pound, Wade III, James, 12, 19-6; 170 pound, Alternate,

Garcia, Juan, 12, 18-13; 182 pound alternate, Virrueta, George, 9, 10-2.

Mission High

113 pound, Soto, Adrian, 11, 22-8; 132 pound, Duran, Justin, 9, 2-2; 138 pound, Chavez, Ivan, 11, 12-4; 160 pound, Mann, Nikolas, 11, 31-10; 170 pound, Balderas, Luis, 10, 17-10; 285 pound, Lopez, Dante, 11, 30-2.

PSJA High

106 pound, Sanchez, Victor, 12, 1-1; 120 pound, Barrera, Maximiliano, 12, 23-3; 126 pound, Salinas, Elijah, 11, 10-8; 132 pound, Gonzalez, Gabriel, 11,12-9; 138 pound, Belmares, Rolando,12, 8-6; 145 pound, Garcia, Haven, 11, 30-10; 160 pound, Ceja, Jesus, 11, 25-7; 170 pound, Solis, Bryan, 12, 22-5; 285 pound, Sanchez, Joshua, 11, 13-5.

PSJA North

106 pound, Fernandez, Joe, 9, 0-2; 113 pound, Barbee, Robby, 9, 1-6; 126 pound, Ruiz, Jose, 12, 9-7; 138 pound, Lopez, Daniel, 12, 27-0; 145 pound, Zepeda, Seth, 9, 3-7; 152 pound, Herrera, Donovan, 10,13-2; 220 pound, Alternate, Salinas, Francisco, 12, 12-13.

Girls qualifiers

Donna North

95 pound, Resendez, Monica, 12, 13-6; 119 pound, Torres, Esmeralda, 9, 9-19; 148 pound, Contreras, Catarina, 12, 10-10; 215 pound, Perez, Dulce, 12, 13-17; Alt 128 pound, Torres, Rubi, 11, 10-12.

Edinburg High

110 pound, Mendoza, Tanya, 9, 33-7; 119 pound, Izaguirre, Yarely, 12, 33-10; 215 pound, Peralta, Leslie, 12, 25-15.

Edinburg Economedes

128 pound, Castillo, Desirae, 12, 18-5; 138 pound, Gonzalez, Karla, 12, 9-1; 165 pound,

Sierra, Arlysa, 10, 26-2; 185 pound, Hernandez, Jenna, 12, 18-8; 215 pound, Saenz, Kailey, 12, 7-2; Alt 95 pound, Torres, Jaylee, 11, 3-5.

Edinburg North

95 pound, Acuna, Emily Y., 9, 9-10; 102 pound, Gonzalez aguilera, Lizbeth 10, 12-10;

110 pound, Romo, Kimberly, 11, 17-7; 119 pound, Cerda, Eva D., 12, 35-2; 128 pound, Garza, Stephanie J., 12, 29-2; 138 pound, Aguilar, Venette A. 11, 11-9; 148 pound, Conde, Naydellyn, 11, 20-6; 165 pound, Salinas, Amber N., 11, 13-6; 185 pound, Sierra, Ashley R. 11, 27-4; 215 pound, Salinas, Jessica A., 12, 19-6.

Edinburg Vela

95 pound, Salinas, Lauren, 12, 1-2; 215 pound, Sauceda, Salma, 9, 3-7, Alt 165 pound, Barrientes, Brianna, 11, 7-13.

La Joya High

95 pound, Moreno, Brenda, 11, 30-9; 102 pound, Gonzales, Genisa, 10, 19-9; 110 pound, De la cruz, Britney, 10, 11-11; 138 pound, Rosas, Natalie, 11, 20-4; 148 pound, Cantu, Alina, 12, 32-12; Alt 128 pound, Fuentes, Margarita, 10, 5-4; Alt 185 pound, Velasquez, Anahi, 10, 8-7. La Joya Juarez-Lincoln

165 pound, Aldama, Jessica, 12, 15-14; 185 pound, Hernandez, Yamilex, 9,9-15; Alt 110 pound, Munoz, Jazmin, 10, 14-14; Alt 138 pound, Solis, Joanna, 11, 14-17; Alt 148 pound, Montalvo, Marilou, 11, 16-17; Alt 215 pound, Hernandez, Sherlyn, 2-5.

Los Fresnos

119 pound, De Leon, Sofia, 12, 14-9; 128 pound, Castro, Davia, 10, 17-15; 138 pound, Castillo, Paola, 11, 4-6; 148 pound, Moreno, Yireh, 9, 7-19; 185 pound, Reyes, Katie, 9, 15-10; 215 pound, Waters, Karen, 12, 8-4.

McAllen High

110 pound, Juarez, Stephany, 128 pound, Tellez, Celeste, 12, 24-4; 148 pound, Williams, Michelle, 10, 5-3; 185 pound, Rodriguez, Jocelyn, 10, 7-1; Alt 102 pound, Santana, Laryssa, 10, 8-7; Alt 119 pound, Velasco, Fernanda 12, 2-2.

McAllen Memorial

102 pound, Gomez, Maria, 10, 9-5; 119 pound, Gomez, Victoria, 11, 22-13; 128 pound, Saenz, Nallely, 10, 20-15; 138 pound, Delagarza, Serenity, 9, 32-5; 148 pound, Marroquin, Maya, 10, 23-4. McAllen Rowe

119 pound, Diaz, Daniela, 11, 24-7. Mission High

95 pound, Galot, Alma, 12, 14-13; 102 pound, Vega, Zenaida, 12, 21-6; 165 pound, Sandoval, Alexia, 12, 20-9.

PSJA High

102 pound, Marroquin, Karen, 10, 16-8; 110 pound, Hernandez, Nayeli, 12, 22-1; 119 pound, Solis, Teresa, 11, 18-4; 128 pound, Luevano, Priscilla, 11, 17-4; 138 pound, Saldana, Nancy, 12, 25-3; 165 pound, Recio, Arlette, 9, 7-16; 185 pound, Villanueva, Jessica, 10, 28-6; 215 pound, Coronado, Katelyn, 9, 1-7.

PSJA North

95 pound, Garza, Myracle, 10, 0-1; 148 pound, Martinez, Catherine, 12, 17-9; 185 pound, Hernandez, Amber, 11, 6-7.

2020 UIL Boys Region 4-5A

at AISD Delco Activity Center,

Austin

Feb. 14-15

Boys qualifiers

Edcouch-Elsa

106 pound, Arellano, Derick, 12, 22-5; 113 pound, Trevino, Mario, 12, 28-5; 120 pound, Cuellar, Osvaldo, 12, 19-17; 132 pound, Martinez, Adrian, 11, 29-6; 145 pound, Trujillo, Kevin, 12, 23-17; 152 pound, Salazar, Luis, 10, 15-9; 160 pound, Neves, Felipe, 12, 27-1; 170 pound, Garza, Joel, 12, 30-2; 182 pound, Uresti, Eresmo, 12, 20-5; 220 pound, Hernandez, Enrique, 12, 13-12; 285 pound, Gonzalez, Bobby, 12, 19-9.

Donna High

126 pound, Zavala, Rafael, 11, 24-7; 170 pound, Espinoza, Marc, 11, 14-10.

Grulla

132 pound, Flores, Rolando, 11, 22-8; 152 pound, Montalvo, Alberto, 11, 14-2; 182 pound, Wynne, Austin, 11, 9-2.

La Joya Palmview

138 pound, Zieske, Joseph, 12, 15-3.

Mission Veterans Memorial

152 pound, Ramirez, Luis, 11, 2-1; 160 pound, Villanueva, Leeroy, 10, 7-3.

PSJA Memorial

106 pound, Alvarado, Abel, 12, 19-1; 113 pound, Aguilera, Diego, 12, 30-4; 120 pound, Elizondo, Alberto Jesus, 10, 30-6; 126 pound, Castillo, Jonathan, 11, 24-12; 182 pound, Salyers Garcia, Santana Gabriel, 11, 19-5.

PSJA Southwest

113 pound, Juarez, Steve, 11, 13-6. Rio Grande City

132 pound, Trevino, Rene, 11, 12-2; 160 pound, Martinez, Pedro, 11, 12-20; 170 pound, Vela, Gregorio, 9, 24-13; 195 pound, Resendez, Roel, 12, 24-9; 285 pound, Stafford, Aidan, 9, 10-12.

Roma

152 pound, Munoz, Eliberto, 11, 9-6; 160 pound, Alaniz, Carlos, 10, 20-9; 195 pound, Rios, Jonathan, 12, 17-5; 220 pound, Villareal, David, 10, 11-8; 285 pound, Moreno, Antonio, 11, 19-10.

Sharyland High

106 pound, Mendoza, Alberto, 9, 37-8; 120 pound, Cruz, Jesus, 11, 15-9; 145 pound, Rodriguez, Moses, 10, 29-14; 170 pound, Pascual, Santino, 12, 21-7; 195 pound, Martinez, Daniel, 12, 18-11; 220 pound, Martinez, Gabriel, 12, 17-14.

Valley View

113 pound, Brenner, Jose, 12, 15-14; 138 pound, Gonzalez, Alberto, 11, 18-7; 145 pound, Flores, Eivar, 11, 24-11.

Girls Qualifiers

Donna High

110 pound, Trevino, Neida, 11, 2-4; 148 pound, Cruz, Karla, 12, 21-9; 185 pound, Yanez, Kayla, 12, 15-12; 215 pound, Hernandez, Precious, 12, 18-1.

Edcouch-Elsa

95 pound, Garcia, Leilani, 11, 16-14; 110 pound, Lopez, Baby, 9, 10-3; 128 pound, Gallegos, Teresa, 11, 14-8; 165 pound, Carrillo, Arely, 9, 9-18.

Grulla

102 pound, Garza, Bridny, 11, 20-4.

La Joya Palmview

128 pound, Garza, Brooklyn, 9, 24-14; 148 pound, Aleman, Ashley, 12, 3-0; 165 pound, Rivas, Judith, 11, 34-4; 185 pound, Guardado, Liliana 10, 17-7.

Mission Veterans Memorial

138 pound, Sanchez, Mia, 12, 5-4.

PSJA Memorial

102 pound, Peralez, Isabella, 12, 17-7; 119 pound, Lopez, Iris, 11, 14-8; 128 pound, Moreno, Genesis, 9, 17-8; 138 pound, Lopez, Brianda, 12, 21-8; 185 pound, Torres, Lorena, 10, 23-7; 215 pound, Rendon, Emily, 11, 20-10.

PSJA Sothwest

102 pound, Reyes, Graciela, 11, 22-8. Rio Grande City

110 pound, Reyes, Karina, 11, 13-12; 119 pound, Benavides, Emma, 11, 22-17; 138 pound, Lopez, Jennifer, 11, 17-16; 165 pound, Garza, Kimberly, 10, 7-13; 215 pound, Villarreal, Rachel, 11, 15-7.

Sharyland High

95 pound, Peralez, Jerilyn’. 12, 26-3; 102 pound, Ramirez, Kaitlyn, 10, 9-7; 110 pound, Lopez, Stephanie 12, 17-13; 128 pound, Sustaita, Maryjane, 12, 19-9; 148 pound, Ayala, Viviana, 11, 26-14; 165 pound, Zarate, Yarisbeth, 9, 22-10.

Valley View

119 pound, Martinez, Dafne, 11, 20-6; 185 pound, Garza-Medina, Yadira, 11, 20-13.

McALLEN — Area swimmers head to Austin today to get ready to compete in the 2020 UIL Swimming and Diving State Championships scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on the University of Texas at Austin campus.

PSJA Southwest’s Issac Velasquez returns to Austin for the second time to finish off his sophomore swimming campaign competing in the Class 5A in 500-yard butterfly, ranked No. 13 in the event with a seed time of 53.32 seconds in the UIL state meet qualifying rankings. He’s also ranked No. 11 in the 500-yard freestyle entering the competition with a time of 4 minutes 53 seconds.

“My plan is to swim my race and try to drop the time I want, cool down and get ready for the 500-yard freestyle because I won’t have that much time to rest between events,” Velasquez said. “I want to try my best, and do what I have been training all year long. My goal is to get in the top six, and just do my best.”

Also qualifying in Class 5A 100-yard butterfly is Sharyland High’s Alvaro Garza. He is ranked No. 14 with a seed time of 53.59.

Other individuals qualifying in Class 6A state competition include McAllen High’s Jacye Lyon (59.96) in the 100-yard breast stroke. McAllen Memorial’s Dayan Rodriguez Vallejo (1:00.95) also qualified for the same event. The two have gone head-to-head with each other all season and come in ranked No. 15 and No. 16, respectively, only one second apart.

Vallejo will also compete in the 200-yard IM carrying a No. 16 ranking and 2:00.35 time in the event.

McAllen Memorial’s Sophia Santos heads into the 200-yard IM ranked No. 16 with a time of 2:25.40.

McAllen High’s Nilton Dos Santos qualified for the 100-yard butterfly and is ranked No. 13 with a time of 50.65. He also qualified for the 200-yard freestyle and is holding the No. 16 rank with a time of 1:48.38.

McAllen Rowe’s Jenny Wyna is ranked No. 16 in the girls’ 100-yard breaststroke, holding a time of 1:14.07.

“Jenny is a sophomore. She is quiet and works really hard,” McAllen Rowe head coach Amy Gallegos said. “She is talented, she’s improved and the breaststroke is her favorite event.”

Wyna will also be competing in two team events with teammates Jessamine Barocio, Kaitlyn Bzibziak, Amy Lou Ortiz and Mia Salazar in the 200-yard medley and 200-yard freestyle.

The Rowe team is heading back to compete at state after not making it last year.

“It’s really nice to be going back,” Gallegos said. “They were only 11 points away from winning the district championship. They trained hard and they have done better than we thought we would this year. It’s going to be difficult, it’s going to be a challenge, but I told my girls this is an opportunity to keep growing and improving. Swimming with people faster than you is only going to make you better.”

The McAllen High boys qualified for the 200-yard medley with a seed time of 1.39.48. The Bulldogs are ranked No. 15. They will also compete in the 400-yard freestyle, holding on to a No. 16 ranking and a seed time of 3:19.28.

Class 5A Swimming and Diving prelims will begin at 10 a.m. Friday, while 6A prelims are scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Finals on Saturday for Class 5A will begin at 9:30 a.m., and 3:30 p.m. for Class 6A.

Also heading to state is Brownsville Veterans’ Daniela Chapa in the 500-yard freestyle.

Brownsville Veterans’ Nico Chapa will appear in the 1-meter diving event.

PSJA High’s Natalie Bravo is ranked No. 23 in the girls’ 1-meter dive event entering with a 255.25 point score.

Los Fresnos’ girls’ relay team is ranked No. 15 in the 200-yard freestyle, carrying a time of 1:43.52. The Falcons are also ranked No. 16 in the girls’ 400-yard freestyle with a time of 4:00.83. They will make an appearance in the 200-yard medley ranked No. 15 with a seed time of 1:54.82.

Los Fresnos’ Jada Ashford is ranked No. 10 in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 51.57. Ashford will also compete in the 50-yard freestyle with a seed of 23.26 and No. 4 ranking.

Los Fresnos’ Anapaula Hernandez qualified for the 1-meter diving event with a score of 243.40 at regionals.

Brownsville Hanna’s Quinten Deysel will compete in the 50-yard freestyle in Class 6A entering with a seed time of 22.05. He also qualified for the 100-yard freestyle ranked No. 16 with a 48.03 seed time.

Brownsville Hanna’s Matthew Lovett will compete in the 100-yard backstroke ranked No. 16 and 55.88 seed time.

Brownsville Hanna is also sending its boys’ 200-yard freestyle relay team carrying a No. 16 ranking and 1:30.58 seed time.

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McALLEN— McAllen High goalkeeper Lexi Gonzalez faced down McAllen Memorial’s Bailey Sullivan as she set up for the Mustangs’ do-or-die penalty kick.

The score was 4-3, with McHi leading after regulation ended 0-0.

Each team’s first two strikers went up and converted. Each missed the third set, and the fourth duo each scored to make it 3-3.

McAllen High’s Bella Diaz stepped up next, and lifted the Bulldogs to their 4-3 advantage.

All Gonzalez had to do from there was stop the Mustangs’ final shot.

Sullivan took her opportunity, shot it high and to the left, and Gonzalez waved it off, sparking her teammates to charge the field and meet her in their sudden death 4-3 celebration.

“There was a lot of adrenaline coming down to those PKs. I was really focused and ready to go,” Gonzalez said. “It was probably one of our toughest games. Memorial has a really good team, and it was a hard win, we succeeded and I’m really happy about that.”

Both teams came into the contest undefeated in district.

McAllen Memorial came into the contest ranked No. 5 in the state in Class 6A girls soccer — according to the Texas Girls Coaches Association — riding a 14-0 record. McAllen High entered the game ranked No. 15 with an 11-1 record.

“Any time we can get a win it’s a great night,” McAllen High head coach Patrick Arney said. “We have Lexi to thank for that, and the girls played well.”

The Bulldogs got their shots on goal early into the game but could not convert, and controlled possession of the ball for most of the contest.

Both teams tried gaining the upper hand off long passes to get into scoring position, but both defenses were there to close the gaps.

“It was one of those nights with the conditions, it was so wet, the ball was slipping sliding and we couldn’t get a lot of good traction out there and that was tough,” Arney said. “Memorial did really well and we have to congratulate them, but I’m really proud of the girls the way they hung through at the end and put the game away.”

McAllen Memorial goalkeeper Ashley Moreno waved off all of the Bulldogs’ shots on goal during regulation.

“She really stepped up as a quality starting goalkeeper,” McAllen Memorial head coach Matthew Kaiser said. “It played out as we thought it would. We knew it was going to be a tough game for both teams. For it to end in a tie in regulation is not a surprise. We had been practicing PKs. We were ready for that. We anticipated that. But PKs is a crazy animal — sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t.”

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McALLEN— McAllen High goalkeeper Lexi Gonzalez faced down McAllen Memorial’s Bailey Sullivan as she set up for the Mustangs’ do-or-die penalty kick.

The score was 4-3, with McHi leading after regulation ended 0-0.

Each team’s first two strikers went up and converted. Each missed the third set, and the fourth duo each scored to make it 3-3.

McAllen High’s Bella Diaz stepped up next, and lifted the Bulldogs to their 4-3 advantage.

All Gonzalez had to do from there was stop the Mustangs’ final shot.

Sullivan took her opportunity, shot it high and to the left, and Gonzalez waved it off, sparking her teammates to charge the field and meet her in their sudden death 4-3 celebration.

“There was a lot of adrenaline coming down to those PKs. I was really focused and ready to go,” Gonzalez said. “It was probably one of our toughest games. Memorial has a really good team, and it was a hard win, we succeeded and I’m really happy about that.”

Both teams came into the contest undefeated in district.

McAllen Memorial came into the contest ranked No. 5 in the state in Class 6A girls soccer — according to the Texas Girls Coaches Association — riding a 14-0 record. McAllen High entered the game ranked No. 15 with an 11-1 record.

“Any time we can get a win it’s a great night,” McAllen High head coach Patrick Arney said. “We have Lexi to thank for that, and the girls played well.”

The Bulldogs got their shots on goal early into the game but could not convert, and controlled possession of the ball for most of the contest.

Both teams tried gaining the upper hand off long passes to get into scoring position, but both defenses were there to close the gaps.

“It was one of those nights with the conditions, it was so wet, the ball was slipping sliding and we couldn’t get a lot of good traction out there and that was tough,” Arney said. “Memorial did really well and we have to congratulate them, but I’m really proud of the girls the way they hung through at the end and put the game away.”

McAllen Memorial goalkeeper Ashley Moreno waved off all of the Bulldogs’ shots on goal during regulation.

“She really stepped up as a quality starting goalkeeper,” McAllen Memorial head coach Matthew Kaiser said. “It played out as we thought it would. We knew it was going to be a tough game for both teams. For it to end in a tie in regulation is not a surprise. We had been practicing PKs. We were ready for that. We anticipated that. But PKs is a crazy animal — sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn’t.”

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Donna North’s Aviles surpasses 100-goal mark

BY RAUL GARCIA

STAFF WRITER

DONNA — Fresh off scoring her 100th career goal, Donna North’s Gabriela Aviles continued her hot streak Friday, netting seven goals more in a win over Edinburg Economedes.

“It’s a big deal here in the Rio Grande Valley. There have been very few soccer players that have reached that number,” Donna North head coach Tony Garcia said. “For Gabby to reach that now in her junior year only two games into district, that speaks volumes for the type of skills that she has.”

On the opening kickoff against Edinburg Economedes, Donna North quickly shot the ball down field to feed Aviles, who scored in transition to break open a scoreless tie during the 39th minute. Aviles went on to score six more goals to carry Donna North to a 9-1 victory at home.

Aviles has scored 29 goals this season as Donna North stands at 10-7-1 overall and 3-0 in District 31-6A competition.

“She’s fast, she’s very fast, and once she gets going she’s got wings,” Garcia said.

Coming into the season, Aviles didn’t know how far away she was from reaching the scoring milestone, other than she was close to that mark.

Against Edinburg North on Feb. 4, Aviles unknowingly hit the century mark with her game-winning goal.

“My teammate passed it to me, and the defender went the other way and I shot it and it went in,” Aviles said. “It was just amazing, and it was a good feeling.”

The record goal came on her 17th birthday, adding to the celebration.

“We were ecstatic,” Garcia said. “She didn’t even know how many goals she had until after the game when I told her, ‘Guess what? This is your 100th goal.’ It was a big win. We went to their place and beat last year’s District 31-6A champs.”

Her score released 72 minutes of pressure when Donna North gained the upper hand after Aviles got in front to the defense and scored off a pass from teammate Nancy Espino.

“I didn’t know what number I was at,” Aviles said. “I was a little off in the game against Edinburg North, but I told myself I just need one goal because it could win the game.”

With time winding down, she scored what turned out to be the game-clinching goal in a 1-0 win over Edinburg North. Aviles credits her teammates for setting up scoring opportunities, as well as her father, Alfonso, who began coaching her at an early age.

“They play a big role in me scoring because if it wasn’t for them getting me the ball, then I wouldn’t be able to put it away,” Aviles said. “And my dad started playing soccer with me outside our house, and at 8 years old he decided to put me on a soccer team.”

The first goals she recalls putting away came during a scrimmage. In that match, Aviles netted two goals —one to tie the score and the next to take the lead and control of the game. Although those scores didn’t count toward her official career marks, it proved to her coach that she could make a difference on the varsity team.

By her sophomore season, Aviles was named team captain.

Aviles’ most memorable game came when Donna North rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the first round of the 2019 playoffs to force penalty kicks. Donna North wound up losing 4-3 to a Harlingen South team that eventually reached the third round of the playoffs.

“Going into the second period we needed to turn it around,” Aviles said. “I scored the first two goals and that made us feel we had a chance.”

Espino, her teammate, scored the third goal of that contest.

Only one other Donna North soccer player has reached 100 goals. Elizabeth Reyes holds the Donna North school record for most career goals scored with 144 netted in four years. The two played together during Aviles’ freshman year. That’s when Reyes, a senior, helped Donna North reach the third round of the playoffs, where they eventually lost to Gregory Portland.

“We are extremely proud of Gabby’s accomplishment, and we are not going to take any of our games lightly,” Garcia said. “She is a team player and she is going to go all out for her team and we are all thankful for the player that she is. She is an amazing girl and we’re lucky she is just a junior.”

Aside from soccer, Aviles competes on the basketball team, track team and volleyball team. She’s also on the cheerleading squad, National Honor Society and student council.

“It takes a lot of practice, and also relying on your teammates that they are going to get you the ball and do their job so I can do mine,” Aviles said. “My goal is to get better every year.”

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VALLEY HS BOYS SOCCER

Friday’s Games

District 31-6A

Donna North 4, Edinburg Economedes 1

Edinburg Vela 4, Weslaco High 1

Edinburg High 1, Edinburg North 1

VALLEY HS GIRLS SOCCER

Friday’s Games

District 31-6A

Donna North 9, Edinburg Economedes 1

Edinburg Vela 9, Weslaco High 1

Edinburg High 1, Edinburg North 0

DONNA — Donna North’s boys soccer team did not let their foot off the gas en route to a 4-1 win over visiting Edinburg Economedes in a contest that started off fast Friday.

“We needed one of these games where the goals went in because in our last two games it was hard to score,” Donna North head coach Andres Sanchez said. “Getting those scores early in the game makes a big difference.”

The game proved Donna North could withstand the pain while pushing its offensive attack with big shots from around the field.

Its first score was a chip-in from in front of the goal by Santos Garza, who chased down a leading pass during the 21st minute to take the 1-0 lead.

Two minutes later, Christian Flores corralled a pass on the wing in motion on the left side of the goal and chest-bumped it to set himself up for a strike into the right side of the net to lift Donna North 2-0.

After a free kick, Donna North caught the Jaguars by surprise as it took its 3-0 lead off an Alex Flores blast from 35 yards out with seven minutes remaining in the first half.

Economedes’ defense didn’t have an answer to Donna North’s offensive attack.

“We surprised them in the beginning and we just kept it going with our attack and our defense did an excellent job,” Sanchez said.

Throughout the game, Economedes continued to have trouble taking care of the ball and could not gain control of their possession past the Donna North defense, causing frustration to set in for the Jaguars as they looked for a way to score.

The Jaguars did not get on the board until late in the second period off a header by forward Chris Garcia, who connected on a second chance opportunity that dinged off the goal post.

Donna North entered Friday’s game coming off a 1-0 win over Edinburg North following its loss to Weslaco East 1-0 in its District 31-6A opener.

“It was a pretty close and every game is going to be a close game,” Sanchez said. “We just need to take care of business.”

Sanchez led Donna North to its first district title last year in program history. (The school opened its doors in 2013.) Sanchez has been at the helm of the boys soccer team over the past seven years.

Economedes came into the contest 2-0 in district, sending a clear message they were a team to beat with their victories over Weslaco High (1-0) and Edinburg Vela (3-1).

“We want to start this season with a different attitude,” Economedes head coach Robert Arce said. “They are playing their best and are working a lot. We’re teaching them different formations, and I think we will be very strategic moving forward.”

Next for Edinburg Economedes is Edinburg High at 6 p.m. Tuesday at home.

Donna North will go on the road against Weslaco High, also at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

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ELSA —La Joya Palmview wrestler Ashley Aleman entered the District 16-5A championship with the purpose of winning it all and punching her ticket to regionals.

And she did precisely that.

Aleman was not the only one with the same goal at heart. Wrestlers from 10 participating schools in the boys and girls divisions were there with the same mission entering the two-day District 16-5A championship at Edcouch-Elsa High in Elsa that began Wednesday and ended Thursday.

Edcouch-Elsa boys rolled to its first district championship scoring 266 points, and Donna High clinched the title in the girls division scoring 110 points.

“My boys all came in and battled hard,” Edcouch-Elsa head coach Sam Mangum said. “Not all of them landed where they wanted to, but the team scores really show that all the kids battled hard and got those bonus points where it mattered.”

Donna High’s Karla Cruz stood in the way of Aleman’s quest for glory at district.

It wasn’t the first time the two had met on the mat before colliding in their semifinal matchup Thursday.

“She’s been my competition since last year, and she beat me one time,” Aleman said. “And ever since then it’s been my goal to defeat her, and I kept pushing myself in practice, because my goal is to be a state champion wrestler.”

The top four wrestlers from each weight class advance to regionals.

Both Aleman and Cruz advanced to state last year, but did not place. Each of them punched their ticket to regionals as Aleman finished first in the 148-pound weight class, and Cruz finished third.

“I just kept pushing myself, because I know her goal was to beat me one more time, and it was a hard battle,” Aleman said. “I was scared and for a moment I thought I was going to get pinned, but I knew how bad I wanted this, and I went for the pin. That match was so important to me because it made me feel I can qualify for state for winning a good match like that.”

Early in their match, Aleman had an advantage as she pushed Cruz’s face across the mat while they were tangled up. But Cruz found a way out of her grip and made her move.

Cruz led the match 5-4, but Aleman didn’t let up as they each twisted and turned each other’s arms and legs while rolling over one another looking for an advantage.

And in one quick move, Aleman found herself back on top of Cruz, using all her strength to push both of Cruz’s shoulders down on to the mat to win.

“I had to give it my all, I either didn’t want it or I wanted it all,” Aleman said.

Aleman went on to defeat Sharlyland High’s Viviana Ayala for the district title in the 148-pound weight class.

Aleman’s victory over Ayala gave Donna High the edge in the tournament after Cruz and Nelly Gutierrez (95) won their third-place matches.

Donna clinched the title with a two-point lead over Sharyland High (108).

“Those were the points that we needed to get over the top,” Donna High head coach Raul Cardenas said. “The 148 from Palmview (Aleman) beat the 148 (Ayala) from Sharyland and that was the deciding factor that kept Shayrland from getting the extra points and give us the win.”

Donna High’s Precious Hernandez (215) and Kayla Yanez (185) finished second, respectively.

“The girls have been working so hard all year and they finally got the results they wanted,” Cardenas said. “We left with a sour taste in our mouth after the district duals— losing by one point to Sharyland High and we came back here and battled hard.”

ROMA, PSJA MEMORIAL DEFEND CROWNS; E-E ROLLS

Roma’s Johnathan Rios returned to the district championship stage and defended his title in the 195 weight class, defeating Rio Grande City’s Roel Resendez in the title match.

“He was bigger than me, and it means a lot to me to get back-to-back district championships my senior year,” Rios said. “It was hard and I fought it out for the district championship.”

In the boys’ 106 weight class, PSJA Memorial’s Abel Alvarado cruised to his third straight district championship. To reach the final, he defeated his opponent in 1.23 seconds during the first period.

“It feels good,” Alvarado said. “It was a big goal of mine to become a three-time district champion.”

Edcouch-Elsa took the title in four out of the 14 boys weight classes.

Mario Treviño (113), Felipe Neves (160), Joel Garza (170) and Ross Uresti (182) each punched their tickets to regionals with their first-place finishes.

“Mario Treviño at 113 is a total stud. Felipe Neves is raw talent and just great. Joel Garza is also a very good wrestler and got a pin in the second period. And Ross Uresti won by major decision. All four of those guys are studs and they are all workhorses, and if you saw what they are doing in the room, you would understand why they are having this much success on the mat.”

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HS Girls Wrestling

District 16-5A Championship

Team Results

1.Donna High, 110; 2. Sharyland High, 108; 3. La Joya Palmview, 103; 4. PSJA Memorial, 99; 5.Sharyland Pioneer,96; 6. Edcouch-Elsa, 95; 7.Rio Grande City, 93; 8. Grulla, 45; 9. Valley View, 43; 10.PSJA Southwest, 38; 11. Mission Veterans Memorial, 25

Individual results

95 pounds

Guaranteed Places

1st Place – Jerilyn’ Peralez, Sharyland High

2nd Place – Leilani Garcia, Edcouch-Elsa

3rd Place – Nelly Gutierrez, Donna High

102 pounds

Guaranteed Places

1st Place – Bridny Garza, Grulla

2nd Place – Graciela Reyes, PSJA Southwest

3rd Place – Isabella Peralez, PSJA Memorial

4th Place – Kaitlyn Ramirez, Sharyland High

5th Place – Valerie Arellano, Edcouch-Elsa

6th Place – Stephanie Gomez, Donna High

110 pounds

Guaranteed Places

1st Place – Baby Lopez, Edcouch-Elsa

2nd Place – Stephanie Lopez, Sharyland High

3rd Place – Karina Reyes, Rio Grande City

4th Place – Neida Trevino, Donna High

5th Place – Maria Cuevas, La Joya Palmview

119 pounds

Guaranteed Places

1st Place – Emily Trevino, Sharyland Pioneer

2nd Place – Dafne Martinez, Valley View

3rd Place – Emma Benavides, Rio Grande City

4th Place – Iris Lopez, PSJA Memorial

5th Place – Aicha Garza, Donna High

6th Place – Chrysaleen Flores, Grulla

128 pounds

Guaranteed Places

1st Place – Teresa Gallegos, Edcouch-Elsa

2nd Place – Brooklyn Garza, La Joya Palmview

3rd Place – Maryjane Sustaita, Sharyland High

4th Place – Genesis Moreno, PSJA Memorial

5th Place – Emily Fernandez, Donna High

6th Place – Esperanza Gil, Grulla

138 pounds

Guaranteed Places

1st Place – Vanessa Ramirez, Sharyland Pioneer

2nd Place – Jennifer Lopez, Rio Grande City

3rd Place – Brianda Lopez, PSJA Memorial

4th Place – Mia Sanchez, Mission Veterans Memorial

5th Place – Ana Martinez, Donna High

6th Place – Crystal Haro, PSJA Southwest

148 pounds

Guaranteed Places

1st Place – Ashley Aleman, La Joya Palmview

2nd Place – Viviana Ayala, Sharyland High

3rd Place – Karla Cruz, Donna High

4th Place – Sara Neal, Sharyland Pioneer

5th Place – Nathalie Garcia, Rio Grande City

6th Place – Richelle Garza, Grulla

165 pounds

Guaranteed Places

1st Place – Judith Rivas, La Joya Palmview

2nd Place – Kimberly Garza, Rio Grande City

3rd Place – Yarisbeth Zarate, Sharyland

4th Place – Arely Carrillo, Edcouch-Elsa

5th Place – Assannett Cruz, PSJA Southwest

185 pounds

Guaranteed Places

215 pounds

Guaranteed Places

1st Place – Camila Flores, Sharyland Pioneer

2nd Place – Precious Hernandez, Donna High

3rd Place – Rachel Villarreal, Rio Grande City

4th Place – Emily Rendon, PSJA Memorial

5th Place – Mia Diaz, Valley View

6th Place – Natalie Marichalar, La Joya Palmview