ROY HESS | Staff Writer

Mother Nature didn’t interfere with regional golf until Wednesday.

The Region IV-6A and Region IV-5A tournaments for girls were played Monday and Tuesday at San Antonio’s Republic Golf Club and McAllen’s Palmview Golf Course, respectively, with no interruptions.

But on Wednesday, the Class 6A boys tournament at Republic Golf Club in San Antonio was not as fortunate as there were three rain/lightning delays. The 5A boys tournament at Palmview in McAllen came off without a hitch Wednesday, but inclement weather could possibly threaten today, especially for the 6A regional competition in San Antonio.

Harlingen High and Harlingen South both have boys teams playing at the Region IV-6A event. They were the top two qualifying teams at the District 32-6A Tournament earlier this month.

“We didn’t get it finished,” Cardinals golf coach Chris Milligan said of Wednesday’s opening round in San Antonio. “There were three different rain and lightning delays. We’ve got two and three holes left (to complete the first round). We didn’t play that well today.

“We’ll finish the first round in the morning (starting at 8 a.m.), redo groupings and head out for the second round,” Milligan added. “We were just trying to stay dry today.”

Members of the three-time 32-6A champion Harlingen High squad are Nate Newman, Aaron Salinas, Nicholas Galvan, Mikey Bullock and Larry Bolt.

For South, members of the Hawks’ squad are Malachi Pena, Nolan Garrison, Javi Vento, Zach David and Jimi Abbott.

Playing as individual qualifiers from 32-6A at the 6A regional tournament are Harlingen High’s Chris Galvan and San Benito’s Mike Robles.

Golfers qualify for state from this week’s regional competition by finishing as one of the top three teams or finishing as one of the top three individual golfers not on a state-qualifying team.

Meanwhile, the Region IV-5A Tournament for boys at Palmview completed its first round Wednesday with Boerne Champion Navy (304), Dripping Springs (314) and Sharyland Pioneer (319) as the top three teams. Sharyland High (320) was fourth.

Donna High (364) and Brownsville Veterans Memorial (380) were playing in the Region IV-5A event as the top two qualifying teams from District 32-5A.

Jonathan Del Bosque led Donna High with an 84, while Daniel Yznaga led Brownsville Veterans with an 85.

“Daniel had some trouble on the fast greens, but he is optimistic about Thursday’s round,” Brownsville Veterans golf coach Thomas Abete said. “He is our captain and this is his senior year, so he’s going to leave everything he has left out there on the course in the final round.”

The top three individuals after Wednesday’s opening round at the Region IV-5A Tournament were Sharyland High’s Jun Min Lee (69), Boerne Champion Navy’s Zach Hefferman (73) and Dripping Springs’ Jake Sitterle (73).

By ROY HESS | Staff Writer

It’s becoming quite an eventful week for La Feria golfer Andy Cortez.

The senior golfing standout qualified for next month’s Class 4A state tournament Tuesday by placing second individually at the Region IV-4A Tournament in Corpus Christi.

On Friday, Cortez is scheduled to sign an athletic scholarship agreement to play next school year for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros.

While Cortez’s immediate future regarding golf and college appears to be set, the early part of the week has become pretty enjoyable, too.

“I’m super excited to be going back to state in my last year as a senior,” said Cortez, this season’s District 32-4A champion who advanced to the 4A state tournament for the first time as a sophomore. “Here I am (going to state again).”

On Tuesday, Cortez finished the two-day regional tournament at Corpus Christi’s Lozano Golf course with a 7-over-par 151 total, which was second behind top medalist Denver Schneider of Fredericksburg, who shot a 3-over-par 147. James Perry of Salado was the third medalist with a 9-over-par 153.

First-day leader Mason Richter of Gonzales, who opened with an even-par 72 on Monday, finished with a 154 after a round of 82 Tuesday. He still qualified for state individually since Perry’s Salado team and Schneider’s Fredericksburg team both qualified.

Golfers qualify for state from this week’s regional competition by finishing as one of the top three teams or finishing as one of the top three individual golfers not on a state-qualifying team.

La Feria golf coach David Briones said the wind played a factor, especially during Tuesday’s round, and led to some higher scores.

“This is Andy’s last year (of high school golf), and he was more determined than ever this season to get to state,” Briones said. “It’s his second time to go.”

The 4A state tournament is scheduled May 20-21 at Plum Creek Golf Course in Kyle, just outside of Austin.

Cortez said it wasn’t easy battling the wind Tuesday.

“It’s hard when the wind is blowing in your face and not knowing if your shot is going to go to the right or the left,” he said. “It’s tough to play through a (hard) wind like that.

“But I’m happy about going to state and seeing our (regional qualifying girls Briana Garcia and Bianca Bruno) do better in the second round than they did on Monday,” Cortez added. “Now I want to get ready for state.”

Garcia and Bruno played in the Region IV-4A Tournament for girls Monday and Tuesday at Oso Golf course in Corpus Christi. Neither finished among the leaders.

Finishing as the top three boys teams at the Region IV-4A event that qualified for state at Lozano Golf Course were Fredericksburg (628), Liberty Hill (639) and Salado (669).

By ROY HESS | Staff Writer

The golf seasons for the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers and Los Fresnos Lady Falcons ended Tuesday at their respective region tournaments.

Golfers qualify for state from this week’s regional competition by finishing as one of the top three teams or as one of the top three individual golfers not on a state-qualifying team.

Playing at the Region IV-5A Tournament at McAllen’s Palmview Golf Course, the Lady Chargers finished out of the top three places in fifth Tuesday with a 703 two-day score. They were attempting to reach the Class 5A state tournament for the third straight year.

The Lady Chargers were fourth after the first round Monday. Complete final results weren’t immediately available Tuesday.

Fahtima Avila led the Lady Chargers by shooting an 80-82—162 across Monday and Tuesday.

Alamo Heights and Sharyland High tied for the team lead with two-day scores of 651. Alamo Heights captured the regional championship in a playoff with the Lady Rattlers. Boerne Champion was the third-place team at 663.

The top three medalists were Emily Ritchie of Boerne Champion (83-70—153) in first followed by Jacklyn Gonzalez of Alamo Heights and Gabriela McNelly of Castroville Medina Valley.

Individually, La Joya Palmview’s Briana Silerio qualified for state as a player not on a state-qualifying team.

Meanwhile, playing at the Region IV-6A Tournament at San Antonio’s Republic Golf Club, the Lady Falcons wound up eighth with a two-day score of 681. Los Fresnos actually had two girls teams playing at the regional event, and the Lady Falcons’ B squad finished 12th at 741.

The regional tournaments for the 6A and 5A boys run today and Thursday at the same courses the girls played.

Brownsville Veterans golf coach Thomas Abete praised the effort of his girls squad, which won a number of tournaments this season.

“Well, things didn’t go quite our way this tournament, but I’m extremely proud of my girls’ efforts the entire season,” Abete said. “This game (of golf) is a tough one, and the girls have put forth some incredible effort and dedication to their team and school. I can’t praise them enough for the level of play they competed at.

“Unfortunately, things didn’t turn out how we would have liked, but that’s the world of sports,” Abete added. “You win some and you lose some. We thank all who have supported us throughout this entire season, and we hope we can rebuild and be back again next year.”

The Lady Falcons are hoping to build upon their regional experience of the past two days.

“I’m just extremely proud of their development over the school year,” Lady Falcons coach Luis Gonzalez said of his team. “We seem to be chipping away at the competition. We had a strong finish today and put in a nice showing at regionals.

“I’d just like to thank the girls for their hard work over the (school) year, and the parents, especially for their help in getting these girls ready (for the season) a summer ago,” Gonzalez added. “I’d also like to thank our athletic department for allowing us to field two varsity-caliber teams, and for having great teachers who were able to work with these kids (so they could play golf) while missing out on a school day.

“It’s been a long school year, and I’m looking forward to a little bit of rest before getting back at it again in the summer. I told these kids they need to enjoy the fruits of this last school year. There’s a lot to be happy about.”

Austin Westlake Red won the girls 6A regional title with a 580 two-day team score, and Austin Westlake Blue was second at 618. San Antonio Johnson was third at 628.

The top three medalists at the 6A regional were Sadie Englemann of Austin Westlake Red (72-69—141), Hanna Liu of Austin Lake Travis (70-72—142) and Emma McMyler of San Antonio Brandeis (71-73—144). Also qualifying for state individually was Kinsey Ray of San Antonio Reagan (73-73—146).

By ROY HESS | Staff Writer

Andy Cortez is focused on going to state.

The La Feria senior golfer put himself in a prime position to achieve that goal during Monday’s opening round of the Region IV-4A Tournament at Corpus Christi’s Lozano Golf Course.

Cortez shot a 1-over-par 73 Monday to tie for second place with Denver Schneider of Fredricksburg. The leader is Gonzales’ Mason Richter with an even-par 72.

“In the beginning it was tough to figure out the greens and how to play my short game,” said Cortez, who later this week is scheduled to sign an athletic scholarship agreement to play golf next school year at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. “Things got better for me on the backside.

“I’m just playing it shot by shot,” Cortez added. “I want to stay in contention for a spot at state.”

The final round of the 4A regional tournament is today.

Golfers can qualify for next month’s 4A state tournament from this week’s regional event by finishing as one of the top three teams or finishing as one of the top three individual golfers not on a state-qualifying team. Cortez is playing as an individual.

“Andy had a real solid round,” La Feria assistant golf coach Charlie Prado said. “He kept plugging away and kept his composure well.”

Prado was at the Lozano course with Cortez on Monday, and La Feria golf coach David Briones was at Corpus Christi’s Oso Golf Course on Monday with La Feria’s two girls playing at the regional tournament, Briana Garcia and Bianca Bruno. Neither of the two girls was among the leaders after the first round.

Cortez, who recently won the District 32-4A Tournament, is trying to advance to state for the second time. He went for the first time as a sophomore.

Fredricksburg was the team leader with a 311 score after the opening day. Liberty Hill was in second place at 315, while La Grange and Pleasanton were tied for third at 333.

By ROY HESS | Staff Writer

The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers didn’t have quite the opening round they sought during Monday’s Region IV-5A Tournament at McAllen’s Palmview Golf Course.

The Lady Chargers are seeking a third straight trip to the Class 5A state tournament, and they find themselves in fourth place as a team, 15 strokes behind the third-place team going into today’s final round.

Golfers can qualify for state from this week’s regional competition by finishing as one of the top three teams or finishing as one of the top three individual golfers not on a state-qualifying team.

“The girls are a little down on how they played, but we still have a shot at it,” Brownsville Veterans coach Thomas Abete said. “We just have to go out there and play the best we know how to play.

“The wind was pretty rough today, but the girls are going to fight back in the second round and try to be better than today,” Abete added. “I feel confident they will go out there and leave it all out on the course.”

Alamo Heights emerged as the first-round team leader at the Region IV-5A event with a 329 score. Sharyland High was second at 333, and Boerne Champion was third at 338. Brownsville Veterans was in fourth at 353.

Individually, Brownsville Veterans’ Fahtima Avila shot a team-best 80 and was four strokes behind the leader, Jacklyn Gonzalez of Alamo Heights, who shot a 76. Next came La Joya Palmview’s Briana Silerio and Sharyland High’s Paulina Flores, both with 78s. Sharyland High’s Carolina Cantu was next with a 79.

There were three other golfers tied at 80 with Avila.

Besides Avila, other scores for the Lady Chargers were Giovana Ramirez (89), Lauren Serra (91), Anisa Nieto (93) and Fabiola Nino (103).

Meanwhile, the Los Fresnos Lady Falcons encountered some challenges as well during Monday’s opening round of the Region IV-6A Tournament at San Antonio’s Republic Golf Club.

The final day of the Region IV-6A event is today. The 5A and 6A regional competition for boys is scheduled Wednesday and Thursday at the same courses the girls are playing.

Los Fresnos qualified two girls squads for the 6A regional tournament. After the first round, the Lady Falcons’ A squad is in eighth place with a 341 score and its B squad is in 12th place with a 380.

Individual scores for the Los Fresnos A squad were Brianna Munoz (83), Jossie Garcia (85), Gabriana Garrido (86), Natali Barrera (87) and Kasandra Garcia (88).

Austin Westlake Red was the Region IV-6A leader after the opening round with a 296 team score. San Antonio Churchill was second at 308, and Austin Westlake Blue was third at 313. San Antonio Johnson was fourth at 317.

Three teams were tied for fifth place at 336. They are Smithson Valley, San Antonio Brandeis and San Antonio Clark.

“The girls played a good round, it was all right,” Lady Falcons coach Luis Gonzalez said. “It took a few holes for them to adjust, and they came back stronger on the back nine. We’re excited to be in the mix.

“The course’s condition is good,” Gonzalez added. “The greens are not what we’re used to, though. This course is always well-kept.”

Individual scores from the Region IV-6A event were not immediately available.

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

The Los Fresnos girls golf team will be well-represented at this week’s Region IV-6A Tournament in San Antonio.

Both the Lady Falcons’ A and B squads qualified for regional competition today and Tuesday at San Antonio’s Republic Golf Course by finishing first and second at the District 32-6A Tournament April 1-2 at Rancho Viejo Resort & Country Club.

Golfers can qualify for state from this week’s regional tournament by finishing as one of the top three teams or finishing as one of the top three individual golfers not on a state-qualifying team.

Regional competition for girls takes place today and Tuesday. Besides the Class 6A girls playing at Republic Golf Club, the Class 5A girls are playing at McAllen’s Palmview Golf Course, also today and Tuesday.

The Brownsville Veterans Memorial girls won the District 32-5A Tournament on April 1-2 at Weslaco’s Tierra Santa Golf Course. The Lady Chargers will be trying to qualify for the 5A girls state tournament in May for the third straight season.

The 6A boys regional tournament is scheduled Wednesday and Thursday at Republic Golf Club, and the 5A boys play those same days at Palmview.

Class 4A boys and girls play their regional tournaments today and Tuesday in Corpus Christi. The boys play at Lozano Golf Course and the girls play at Oso Golf Course.

The Los Fresnos A girls squad won district with a 712 score, while the Lady Falcons’ B squad was second with an 821.

The top three medalists in the 32-6A tournament were Los Fresnos teammates Gabriana Garrido (174), Natali Barrera (176) and Jossie Garcia (177).

Other members of Los Fresnos’ two girls squads are Jennifer Laznovsky, Ariana Garza, Jianna Granado, Brianna Munoz, Kasandra Garcia, Alex Montes and Allison McGinnis.

“It’s a solid group with plenty of experience,” Los Fresnos golf coach Luis Gonzalez said of his girls. “With three consecutive (32-6A) championships, a foundation for success has been achieved. The program has added a group of young players who have stepped up throughout the season.

“It’s a great privilege and blessing to advance two teams,” Gonzalez added. “We are heading up there (to San Antonio) with an understanding of the course and the level of play needed to compete at regionals. We have all five (A squad players) returning from last year’s regional team, and we’ve added some explosive youth. They’ve gotten stronger, and the confidence shows in their play.

“We get to see some of the best players in the nation (at this tournament). We plan to play to our strengths and represent the Los Fresnos way.”

Also playing at the 6A regional will be the boys teams from Harlingen High and Harlingen South along with individual qualifiers Chris Galvan of Harlingen High and Mike Robles of San Benito.

Regional individual qualifiers for the girls from 32-6A are Harlingen South’s Andrea Pimentel and Harlingen High’s Olivia Garza, who is replacing the injured Micaela Leandro.

Meanwhile, the Brownsville Veterans girls playing in the 5A regional event today and Tuesday are Fahtima Avila, Anisa Nieto, Gigi Ramirez, Fabiola Nino and Lauren Serra.

Avila (147), Nieto (169) and Ramirez (186) were the top three medalists at the 32-5A tournament.

Avila, a senior who recently signed to play golf next school year at Texas A&M-Kingsville University, ranks second in the Rio Grande Valley among high school female golfers this school year with a 75.94 average for 18 holes.

Edcouch-Elsa was the runner-up girls team at the 32-5A tournament, while the individual regional qualifiers for the girls were Lopez’s Natalie Ramirez and Stephanie Gonzalez.

For the boys at the 32-5A tournament, the top two teams were Donna High (686) and Brownsville Veterans (769). The Chargers edged E-E (769) on a one-hole playoff for second place.

Brownsville Veterans’ Daniel Yznaga (164) and Jonathan del Bosque of Donna High (164) were the top two medalists at district. Yznaga took first on a two-hole playoff.

Besides Yznaga, other members of the Brownsville Veterans boys squad are Michael Alvarez, Jesse Saldana, Isaac Sanchez and Jose Fernandez.

Individual regional qualifiers for the boys at district were E-E’s Nick Reyes and Manny Lopez.

Brownsville Veterans coach Thomas Abete said it’s a big plus to have the 5A regional event close to home.

“We are really excited the Valley is hosting the 5A regional tournament,” Abete said. “We finally get to compete at a course that we are familiar with. Palmview is in great shape, and we hope we can go out there and execute our game plan, which is par golf.”

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

Harlingen High’s golfers are eager to take the next step at this week’s Region IV-6A Tournament in San Antonio.

The Cardinals finished fifth as a team at the regional tournament one year ago and now are ready to challenge for a trip to state. The UIL state tournament for Class 6A boys is scheduled May 20-21 at Georgetown’s Legacy Hills Golf Club.

Golfers can qualify for state from this week’s regional tournament by finishing as one of the top three teams or finishing as one of the top three individual golfers not on a state-qualifying team.

Regional competition for girls takes place today and Tuesday. The 6A girls play at San Antonio’s Republic Golf Club. The Class 5A girls play at McAllen’s Palmview Golf Course. The 6A boys play at Republic Golf Club on Wednesday and Thursday, and the 5A boys play those same days at Palmview.

Class 4A boys and girls play their regional tournaments today and Tuesday in Corpus Christi. The boys play at Lozano Golf Course and the girls play at Oso Golf Course.

Cardinals coach Chris Milligan believes his three-time District 32-6A champion boys squad is confident going into this week’s regional action.

Everyone is back for the Cardinals except Dylan Martinez, who graduated last spring and is playing golf at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.

“Our region is always tough with back-to-back defending state champ Austin Westlake (in the field), and the depth of some of the San Antonio schools,” Milligan said. “With that said, I think our guys are fairly comfortable at the (Republic) course and with the way we want to attack it. We’ve been building momentum all semester, and I truly feel we are peaking at the right time.

“Westlake and San Antonio Johnson are tough, but I think we’ve got a shot at that third qualifying spot (to state),” Milligan added. “As a team, all we can fixate on is competing for 36 holes and keeping the blinders on (by not being concerned about how the other teams are doing). Our focus is on making good decisions and keeping ourselves in the mix.

“You have to relish the test to perform your best.”

Members of the Cardinals squad are Nate Newman, Aaron Salinas, Nicholas Galvan, Mikey Bullock and Larry Bolt.

Bullock owns the second-best 18-hole average in the Rio Grande Valley for high school boys this school year with a 74.94. Newman ranks eighth in the Valley with a 78.13 average.

At the 32-6A tournament April 1-2 at Rancho Viejo Resort & Country Club, Newman took top medalist honors by defeating Bullock on a two-hole playoff. Both shot 152s over the two days despite cold and wet conditions.

The Harlingen High boys won their third straight district team title with a 619 score followed by Harlingen South with a 657. With their second-place district finish, the Hawks also qualified as a team for regional competition.

Boys qualifying individually from 32-6A for the regional tournament were Harlingen High’s Chris Galvan and San Benito’s Mike Robles.

Also at the 32-6A tournament April 1-2 at Rancho Viejo, the Los Fresnos girls qualified their first and second teams for the regional tournament, which starts today and runs through Tuesday.

The Los Fresnos “A” girls squad won district with a 712 score, and the Lady Falcons’ “B” squad was second with an 821.

The top three medalists in the 32-6A tournament were Los Fresnos teammates Gabriana Garrido (174), Natali Barrera (176) and Jossie Garcia (177).

Qualifying as individual players at the 32-6A tournament for the regional were Harlingen High’s Micaela Leandro and Harlingen South’s Andrea Pimentel.

Milligan said a wrist injury is preventing Leandro from playing in the regional. He said teammate Olivia Garza will take her place.

By ROY HESS | Staff Writer

The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers are outright District 32-5A baseball champions for the second straight year.

The Chargers (20-5, 11-1 district) clinched another 32-5A crown by defeating Porter 13-5 on Thursday on their home diamond.

“It feels great,” Brownsville Veterans coach Albert Rodriguez said. “The first one was sweet. The second one is even sweeter.”

The Chargers got their bats in action early in the game. They led 5-0 after one inning and 9-0 after two frames. It was 11-2 after four innings and 11-4 after five. The Chargers added two runs for a 13-4 advantage during the bottom of the sixth before the Cowboys (5-7 district) pushed across a single run during the top of the seventh for a 13-5 tally, and that was the final outcome.

Brownsville Veterans still has home games next Tuesday and Friday against Lopez and Edcouch-Elsa to complete its district schedule.

Rodriguez was doused with the contents of the water cooler Thursday after the 2-hour, 45-minute game as the Chargers celebrated another outright district trophy.

“We’ve had some good production at the plate this season,” Rodriguez said. “I think we’re executing better offensively, and our pitching has been there consistently.

“I think now going to the plate and having a good mental approach (to hitting) is putting pressure on the opposing pitchers,” the Chargers coach added. “Any little thing that we can use to win a game is just going to help us become even better.”

The Chargers were focused at the plate against the Cowboys. It showed in the batting stats as they outhit the Cowboys 8-7.

Leading the way for the Chargers at the plate was Javier Hinojosa, who batted 2-for-4 with one RBI. Teammate Ruben Gallegos batted 1-for-3 with three RBIs.

Cristos Sauceda, Cesar Lartigue and Juan Segoviano each had a pair of hits for the Cowboys, with Sauceda finishing with two RBIs and Lartigue with one.

The Cowboys hurt themselves with eight errors.

Brownsville Veterans starter Jorge Lozano earned the mound victory.

The game began with 30 mph gusts of wind. It was considerably calmer by the time the contest ended.

By ROY HESS | Staff Writer

For Gus Herebia, going from the Pace Vikings to playing football at the college level next school year is quite a blessing.

“Signing to play in college is a great experience,” said Herebia, a senior offensive lineman who put his signature on an athletic scholarship agreement before family, fellow students and school officials Thursday at the Pace auditorium. “I’m excited to show what I can do on the next level (playing for the Southwestern Assemblies of God University Lions of Waxahachie).

“I like that it’s a Christian school because I’m a Christian,” Herebia added. “They have good things to offer like my major, which is criminal justice.”

SAGU is an NAIA Division I school that plays in the Sooner Athletic Conference.

Herebia came up through the Vikings’ football program during his four years at Pace. As a senior, he was the Vikings’ center on what was considered one of the biggest offensive lines, if not the biggest, in school history.

“It’s good to know that I was one of the group (in the offensive line) that sparked our playoff run,” Herebia said. “I’ve been playing here for four years, and I have a lot of Pace Viking pride.”

The Vikings finished second in District 32-5A Division I last season with a 7-2 record. They went 7-4 overall.

The 6-foot-2, 270-pounder is expected to move from center to guard in college.

“I think it will be a little easier playing guard and not much of a transition,” Herebia said. “I wouldn’t have to be snapping the ball.”

Pace coach Danny Pardo said Herebia earned second-team all-district honors as a senior.

“Gus is a guy who has made my job a lot easier, that’s for sure,” Pardo said. “He’s a great player who came along with the program. He’s gotten better, and eventually he earned his spot on the varsity.

“He’s a great kid who never gave us any problems of any kind,” Pardo added. “For him to get this opportunity, I think he’s going to enjoy it. The memories that he’s going to make at the next level are going to make the journey enjoyable.

“Gus was one of our program players who really proved himself over the years that he deserved a spot as a starter on the varsity. He didn’t start off on the varsity right off the bat. He earned his place there. He learned how to really work for things and earn them. I think that (character quality) will help him at the next level. His work ethic really has made him the football player he is now.”

Herebia appreciates all the support he has received from his family, his coaches, his teammates and friends.

“I expect nothing but the best playing at the next level,” Herebia said. “I don’t expect anything bad to come out of it. I’m just grateful for being able to get this opportunity.”

By ROY HESS | Staff Writer

LA FERIA — The La Feria and Port Isabel boys track teams put together some strong showings Wednesday at the District 31/32-4A area meet at Lions Stadium.

The top four finishers in each event qualified for the Region IV-4A Meet on April 26-27 at Texas A&M-Kingsville.

The Lions and Tarpons each had their share of regional qualifiers.

Even though La Feria won the final event, the 1,600-meter relay, Rockport-Fulton captured the boys team title with 95 points and the Lions finished second with 87 points. Sinton, Progreso and Port Isabel rounded out the top five places in the boys team standings with 75, 69 and 66 points, respectively.

Rockport-Fulton also won the girls meet title, amassing 107 points. Ingleside was second with 87 points, Sinton third with 64, West Oso fourth with 51, while La Feria and Beeville Jones tied for fifth with 45 points each.

La Feria coach Everardo Sanchez said he was proud of the effort his athletes, male and female, gave on Wednesday.

“We have a very young team, so we were very impressed with how we came out today,” Sanchez said. “We got first in the mile (1,600) relay, we had a sophomore (Jose Dominguez) who surprised us with a gold medal in the 1,600-meter run, plus we had a gold medal in the high jump today (by Emanuel Sanchez),” the La Feria coach said. “And somehow, our sprint (400-meter) relay snuck in there and got second behind Port Isabel, so it was a good day.”

Dominguez provided one of the meet highlights for La Feria by winning the 1,600 in 4 minutes, 48.42 seconds, barely ahead of Progreso’s Jonathan Vega, the second-place finisher with a 4:48.45. Earlier in the day, Vega won the 3,200 in 10:22.80.

“It feels very good to win this (1,600) race,” Dominguez said. “I want to thank my team and my coaches for helping me go this far in my event and get to regionals. I’d also like to thank my family for always supporting me.

“I think I had a very strong last lap,” Dominguez added. “It allowed me to keep the lead and become the area champ. Last year (as a freshman) I just made it to the area meet and didn’t make it to regionals. It was extra motivation for me this year.”

Another winner for La Feria was Emanuel Sanchez with a 6-foot clearance in the high jump. Also, for the La Feria girls, Dariana Vasquez was a double-winner in the 1,600 (5:42.65) and the 3,200 (12:18.77).

The first-place 1,600 relay (3:30.14) for La Feria consisted of David Saenz, Darius Hernandez, Christopher Diaz and Ethan Padilla.

La Feria had a second-place finisher in Darius Hernandez, who took the runner-up position in the 300-meter hurdles in 41.30. Also finishing second for La Feria was Santos Botello, who was the runner-up in the 800 (2:03.76). The 800 race was won by Progreso’s Hector Perales in 2:02.61.

The Lions (44.30) took second behind Port Isabel in the 400 relay (44.15).

Members of the Port Isabel 400 relay were William Camacho, Mac Strunk, Tavien Ellison and Cesar Aguilera. Members of the La Feria 400 relay were Dereck Perez, Eric Alegria, Darius Hernandez and Ethan Padilla.

“I felt confident running that last leg (of the 400 relay),” said Aguilera, the standout QB for the Tarpons football team last fall. “I had the lead and I just finished it (in first). I trusted my teammates to do their part and I did my part.

“I feels great to be going to Kingsville (for the regional meet),” Aguilera added. “That’s been our goal to go up there. We wanted the gold medal at this meet and that’s what we got. The wind was rough. Without the (strong) wind, I think our time would have been better.”

The Port Isabel boys took first in the 800 relay (1:31.35) with runners Tavien Ellison, Jesus Moctezuma, Juan Ramos and Mac Strunk.

Strunk won the 200 dash in 22.02, while Camacho placed first in the triple jump with a leap of 43-01.50, which bettered Progreso’s Luis Garcia (42-09), the runner-up finisher.

Also for Port Isabel, Madison Ramos was second in the high jump with a 5-0 clearance and teammate Marlyn Cesenes was second in the pole vault with a 9-6 clearance.

Other area winners included Rio Hondo’s Jazaline Ayala, who finished first in the 800 (2:32.21) and Raymondville’s Armendariz Zaraivion, who was first in the 400 dash (51.56), just ahead of second-place finisher Jorge Arredondo of Progreso (52.77).