By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

The seventh annual Volley at the Beach tournament begins at 1 p.m. today with pool play in Port Isabel’s main and practice gyms.

The three-day tournament has a field of 12 teams divided into three groups. The first two days will be devoted to pool play with bracket play scheduled on Saturday. The championship match is set for 5 p.m. Saturday in the main gym.

Harlingen South defeated Weslaco East last year for the tournament title. Harlingen South is not returning, but Weslaco East figures to be one of the favorites this year along with fellow Class 6A schools Hanna, PSJA Southwest and Corpus Christi Carroll.

Other teams entered include host Port Isabel, Lopez, Monte Alto, Progreso, Santa Rosa, La Feria, Rio Hondo and West Oso.

The action starts with six matches in each of the gyms and will continue at 10 a.m. Friday and at 9 a.m. Saturday.

“I think all the teams we have entered should be pretty solid,” said Julie Breedlove, fifth-year coach. “We’re looking forward to another competitive tournament.”

The 2017 volleyball season began on Aug. 7 and the first round of tournaments took place last weekend. Other teams from the Metro-area (Brownsville Veterans Memorial, Pace, Rivera and Porter) are playing at a tournament in Mission this week, while Los Fresnos is playing in the Northeast ISD Tournament in San Antonio. Harlingen South will be playing in the Sinton Tournament.

PASSIONATE COACH

Dolores Olguin-Trevino has had a passion for the game of volleyball pretty much her entire life.

She’s coached at Hanna and Los Fresnos, and now she’s been entrusted with developing the volleyball program at St. Joseph Academy once the school decided to add the sport.

The Lady Bloodhounds have made progress during the last couple of years and now they’re playing their first season as a varsity team. The progress is evident by the team’s scores. On Tuesday, St. Joseph defeated Juan Diego Academy 25-20, 25-4, 25-15. Prior to that, St. Joseph defeated Rio Hondo.

“I want to teach them to love the game as much as me, if that’s possible,” Olguin-Trevino said.

“I’m super proud of these girls,” she added. “Of course, we’re very young, so once we get a little bit more experience under out belts, we should be good.”

The Lady Bloodhounds next play at Brownsville Athlos on Friday.

COWGIRLS TO WATCH

Porter is a young team this season.

The girls leading the way for the Cowgirls include Brenda Garcia, Bridgette Ortiz and Aliah Quirk. Garcia and Ortiz are juniors, while Quirk is a sophomore.

“We have a whole handful of freshmen who with experience are going to dominate,” said Ariel Arredondo, the team’s second-year coach.

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

Los Fresnos and Brownsville Veterans Memorial got off to strong starts in pool play Thursday during the opening day of the Poundfest volleyball tournament in McAllen.

The Lady Falcons and Lady Chargers, defending champions in District 32-6A and District 32-5A, respectively, each won three matches Thursday.

Los Fresnos defeated Pace 25-14, 25-15; PSJA High 25-13, 25-7; and Port Isabel 25-13, 25-11.

“It was awesome,” Lady Falcons coach Becky Woods said. “It looks like a very promising season for us. We are not big by any means, but we’re very powerful, quick and smart when playing.”

Also Thursday, Brownsville Veterans captured victories against Edinburg North 25-13, 25-17; the McAllen High junior varsity 25-14, 25-11; and PSJA North 25-7, 25-12.

“The girls really stepped it up and played well,” Lady Chargers coach Lisa Mares said. “Cassie Valdez, our starting setter/hitter, did not play due to an injury. Therefore, Bridget Himes, our middle blocker, stepped up and became our secondary setter.

“We had great communication and teamwork as a whole,” Mares added.

Tournament competition continues this morning. Tournament finals are scheduled Saturday.

Also Thursday at Poundfest, Rivera won two of three pool-play matches, while Hanna won one of three.

Rivera defeated Edinburg Economedes and the McAllen Memorial JV in two games apiece before falling against Laredo Alexander in three games.

Hanna dropped matches in two games against both Sharyland High and McAllen Rowe before winning against Weslaco High in two games.

Another Rio Grande Valley event, the Donna Bravette Tournament, begins today and runs through Saturday. The Lopez Lady Lobos are playing in that competition.

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

Whenever the Lopez Lobos need someone to step up and make a play, Jose “Chevy” Echevarria can be counted upon to do it.

He’s that type of player, and not just in soccer.

An all-around athlete, “Chevy” makes plays in the fall, too, as a wide receiver, punter and kicker on the Lobos’ football squad. He has been a standout in other sports as well.

The talented attacking midfielder/forward, a junior, is the MVP of The Brownsville Herald’s 2017 All-Metro Soccer Team.

Echevarria led the 17-5-6 Lobos to the UIL state tournament for a Rio Grande Valley-record fifth time in 2017 by scoring 27 goals with 10 assists. He also was voted the overall MVP in District 32-5A.

He was the one to step up and score the lone goal of the match in the Region IV-5A final on April 8 in Corpus Christi as the Lobos qualified for state for the second straight year with a 1-0 victory against Brownsville Veterans Memorial.

Perhaps more than any other game in 2017, that regional final was a prime example of Echevarria’s ability to lead his team by his determination to score in a pressure situation.

“‘Chevy’ is the typical Lopez player that we hate to lose when he graduates, and thank goodness he’ll be back for his senior season,” said Lobos coach Amadeo Escandon. the All-Metro coach of the year for 2017. “He’s the type of player who gives everything on the field and he’s got the No. 1 skill that no one can teach, which is speed.

“‘Chevy’ has the skills, the speed and the heart — that’s a great combination,” Escandon added. “We put a lot of pressure on him and he responds the way we want him to. He scored 27 goals, which is something not a lot of people do, especially in a tough district like the one we play in. But again, he bought into our system, he puts the team on his shoulders and he delivers.

“Without a doubt, the way he played and the way he carries himself on and off the field, I don’t think anyone else deserves being named MVP more than ‘Chevy.’”

Just like his Lopez teammates, Echevarria measures success by seeing the Lobos qualify for state.

“It was something amazing to be able to go back to state and try to win it all for the second time (after we went in 2016),” said Echevarria, who was the All-Metro newcomer of the year as a freshman in 2015 and an All-Metro first-teamer as a sophomore in 2016. “Not many teams can do that. We had commitment on this team, which meant coming to practice every day, even when it was raining or it was super hot. We were there giving it all we had, which in the end gave us the results.”

Echevarria felt he had to make a difference for his team in the regional final against the Chargers, who were the 32-5A champions. Lopez was the 32-5A third-place team.

“I knew it was going to be a close game,” he said. “I didn’t think there were going to be a lot of goals scored. I felt the first team to score was going to be the team to win, and it was us. I think scoring those types of goals (in situations like that) has been my role for this team since I got here (as a freshman).”

Having advanced to state three times in the last four seasons, it’s not too difficult to envision what the Lobos’ ultimate objective will be for 2018. They’ll make another run for state with their MVP once again leading the charge.

“Getting an MVP award is a big accomplishment for me,” Echevarria said. “Not many people win it until their senior year, and to win it as a junior is something that means a lot. I thank my family, my friends, my coaches and everyone who has supported me.

“Since the day we start practice again (in late November), going back to state is going to be the goal,” he added. “Game by game, that’s the goal we’re going to focus on.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

Playing in the UIL Class 5A state golf tournament for the first time was a learning experience for the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers.

They completed Tuesday’s final round of the two-day tournament at Bastrop’s Wolfdancer Golf Club with a fifth-place team finish by carding a score of 344-340 — 684.

The Lady Chargers finished Monday’s opening round in a tie for fifth place with Frisco Wakeland at 344. The Lady Chargers were four strokes better over the second round Tuesday on the par-72, 5,561-yard course.

“I told the girls (prior to the final round), ‘Let’s improve our standing or at least hold on to our spot,’ and that’s what we did,” Brownsville Veterans coach Jose Luis Zarate said. “We still represented Region IV the best we could by finishing better than any other team in our region.

“I’m proud of them,” added Zarate. “For never being at state before, they did well. Some teams have been to state quite a few times. It’s definitely a great experience to go through it and get used to what it’s like.”

Grapevine trailed by one stroke after the first round and put together a solid second round to handily win the tournament with a 320-308 — 628. Defending state champion Humble Kingwood took second place with a 326-327 — 653. First-round leader Magnolia couldn’t duplicate Monday’s effort and wound up in third place with a 319-340 — 659.

Frisco Liberty was fourth at 339-334 — 683 and Brownsville Veterans was just a stroke behind in fifth at 344-340 — 684. Sharyland High finished sixth at 346-342 — 688.

Individually, the Lady Chargers all finished out of the top 10 as Julio Lucio shot 78-83 — 161 and teammate Vanessa Campos matched her with an 84-77 — 161. Also for the Lady Chargers, Fahtima Avila shot 88-92 — 180 and Cristina Pullen shot 94-88 — 182.

The Lady Chargers were without Cecilia Garza, who had to pull out of the tournament after nine holes on Monday due to a medical condition.

Top individual medalist honors went to Halle Whitney of Magnolia, who defeated Caitlyn Lindell of Mansfield Lake Ridge in a playoff. Whitney shot 71-79 — 150 and Lindell shot 74-76 — 150 to create a 36-hole tie and force the playoff.

Third place individually went to Gabriella Tomanka of Grapevine who shot 78-73 — 151.

Sharyland High’s Laura Rodriguez, second after the opening round, finished eighth with a 73-81 — 154. Also for Sharyland High, Raquel Flores finished tied for ninth with an 82-74 — 156.

The Lady Chargers graduate only one player, which is Pullen. The other four players are underclassmen.

“It was more windy Tuesday than it was on Monday, so the girls had to adjust to that,” Zarate said. “The wind was howling. They fought hard and I’m proud of them.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS
Staff Writer

BASTROP — The Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers encountered some demanding challenges during Monday’s opening round of the Class 5A girls state golf tournament at Wolfdancer Golf Club.

The Lady Chargers are tied for fifth place with a 344 team score after the first 18 holes of the two-day, 12-team competition on the par-72, 5,561-yard course.

“The course played tough and I noticed pretty much all of the other teams struggled, too,” Brownsville Veterans coach Jose Luis Zarate said. “There were a lot of hazards that came into play, a lot of bunkers in the fairway. It was tough out there.

“Our girls battled and we were competitive for the most part,” Zarate added. “We probably shot seven strokes higher than what we normally do. We’ll see if we can do better (during the final round) (today).”

Magnolia held a one-stroke lead after the first day with a 319 team total. Grapevine was second at 320 and 5A defending state champion Humble Kingwood was third at 326 followed by fourth-place Frisco Liberty at 339.

Brownsville Veterans and Frisco Wakeland were tied for fifth at 344. Sharyland High and Colleyville Heritage were tied for seventh at 346.

Julie Lucio led the Lady Chargers with a 78, which put her in a 10th-place tie individually.

Also for the Lady Chargers, Vanessa Campos shot 84, Fahtima Avila shot 88 and Cristina Pullen carded a 94.
Zarate said Cecilia Garza, the fifth member of the Lady Chargers’ squad, was unable to continue play after nine holes due to a medical condition and had to drop out of the tournament.

Each squad plays with five players and the best four scores count toward its team score. The Lady Chargers will play with their four remaining golfers in the final round.

Halle Whitney of Magnolia was the first-day leader for top individual medalist after shooting a 1-under-par 71.

Sharyland High’s Laura Rodriguez was in second with a 73 and Mansfield Lake Ridge’s Caitlyn Lindell was third at 74.
Zarate was positive about his team’s chances for the final round.

“We’re going to try to finish strong as we can and end the season the best way possible,” he said. “I’m telling the girls to play the best they can and have fun out there.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

Golf is more than just a game for the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Lady Chargers.

It’s something better described as an unrelenting passion that has brought them to a high level of play both individually and as a team.

Also, their strong devotion to the sport perhaps best explains why the Brownsville Veterans girls are advancing to the coming week’s UIL state tournament. The Lady Chargers are believed to be Brownsville’s first public high school golf team to achieve such a feat.

The Class 5A girls state tournament is scheduled Monday and Tuesday at Bastrop’s Wolfdancer Golf Club, a course with a par-72, 5,561-yard layout. Twelve teams are entered, including defending state champion Humble Kingwood along with Sharyland High, which finished third at state last year.

Brownsville Veterans won the Region IV-5A Tournament by 20 strokes on April 25 in San Antonio to earn its spot at state. Sharyland High was the regional runner-up.

“This is the last time I’ll ever be playing golf in high school,” said Cristina Pullen, the team’s only senior who is set to play her sport at Carnegie Mellon University next school year. “It feels great to have gotten this far. If there was ever a way to go out (at a high level as a senior), I think this is it.”

Each of the Lady Chargers says she is enthusiastic about the opportunity to play at state and has her own unique way of describing what the game means to her. It long ago became more than a pastime for them as each one began playing golf at a young age.

“It’s a game I’ve been playing since I was 8 years old,” said Cecilia Garza, a junior. “To me, it means (a lot of) memories because you can play it until you’re 40 years old and even after that. I share the passion of playing golf with my dad (Lalo Garza) because he taught me how to play and it’s something I’ll never forget. Everybody can play golf and have memories of it.”

For Pullen, it’s more a matter of the never-ending struggle between player and course.

“Golf is definitely a relationship,” Pullen said. “You build a relationship with the sport. Golfers describe it as a love-hate relationship. There are times when it’s a horrible day and you’re absolutely ready to quit. Then it becomes a love story. It really is.”

For Julie Lucio, a junior who was the individual medalist at last month’s regional tournament, golf means having a total commitment to the game.

“It’s a devotion,” said Lucio, the only member of the Lady Chargers who has played at the state tournament before. “Golf means commitment and having your mental game at 100 percent. That’s all it is. It (sometimes) kills you, but having a strong mental game will keep you focused and your dedication to the game will keep you going.”

For Fahtima Avila, a sophomore, golf has been a vital and rewarding aspect of her life as long as she can remember.

“I’ve grown up on golf and I just love it,” she said. “I love everything about it. It brings you so much joy. Yes, it’s a love-hate relationship, but it’s more love, and you can’t stop playing because then you miss it. It’s my passion and I hope to go far with it in the future (in college).”

Vanessa Campos is the freshman on the squad who feels blessed to be a member of a team that is doing so well. Her aspirations are set quite high.

“Golf is a passion for me — there’s no doubt about it,” Campos said. “I will be the No. 1 golfer in the world and set a vision (of achievement) for all Latinas out there playing golf. It’s a big dream of mine and I believe I will reach it. I just have to keep on working hard and I will get there.”

As always, Campos and her teammates plan to bring their hard work, devotion and focus for the game with them to state.

Since their season began last fall, the Lady Chargers have won all nine of their tournaments and Lucio has been the top individual medalist each time. Lucio leads the Valley with a stroke average of 70.33 and Campos isn’t far behind at 75.33.

“These girls just need to go out there and trust their game,” Brownsville Veterans golf coach Jose Luis Zarate said.

“That’s pretty much what we’ve been doing all (school) year.

“Everyone plays the same course (at state) with the same layout, the same wind and the same challenges,” he added.

“It’s about trusting your game, having fun out there and doing the best that you can. I think we have as good a chance as anybody up there.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

ALICE — The Los Fresnos Falcons saw their 2017 baseball season slip away in Saturday afternoon’s 9-7 area-round playoff loss to San Antonio Southwest at the Alice Baseball Complex.

It was a tough one for the Falcons as they led 7-3 in the top of the fourth inning only to see the Dragons rally and tie it 7-7 with four runs in the bottom of the inning and then go ahead for good with two more tallies in the bottom of the sixth.

Coupled with Southwest’s 11-5 win over the Falcons on Friday night in Alice, Saturday’s triumph allowed the District 29-6A runner-up Dragons (24-7) to sweep the best-of-three series and move on to the coming week’s Class 6A regional quarterfinals to face Laredo United or Pharr-San Juan-Alamo High.

District 32-6A champion Los Fresnos, a team with a number of players returning next year, closed out the season at 22-5.

“It was a tough-fought game and we gave it everything we could,” Los Fresnos coach Rene Morales said. “They made a couple more plays than we did and scored two more runs than us. That was basically what it came down to.”

The Falcons went through four pitchers in trying to find someone to provide some stability on the mound, but no one could for any length of time. Committing three errors — a couple in the most untimely of moments — compared to one miscue for the Dragons, didn’t help matters, either. Still, the Falcons outhit the Dragons 11-7.

“The players gave me everything they had,” Morales said. “Our pitching struggled a little bit (Saturday). We had our opportunities, but we just didn’t come through in certain situations. These guys gave me seven innings and that’s all I could ask them to do.”

It was 3-3 after one inning before Los Fresnos made it 5-3 in the top of the third and then 7-3 in the top of the fourth inning.

But the Dragons would not be denied.

In the bottom of the fourth, a two-run single to deep center field by Southwest’s Eric Hernandez closed the gap to 7-5 before a pair of sacrifice plays — the first an infield put-out and the second a fly-out to left field — each plated a run from third to knot the score at 7.

In the bottom of the sixth, a Falcons’ infield fielding error enabled Southwest to go ahead 8-7 and a double to deep center field by Isaiah Zavala scored another run to make it 9-7.

Southwest coach Bobby Behnsch, now in his second year of guiding the Dragons, said his team has never before advanced to the third round of the playoffs, so it’s an exciting time for his ballclub and the fans.

“We’re in unchartered waters,” Behnsch said. “We’re playing with house money now.”

Prior to Saturday’s game, the Southwest coach told his team to expect a strong effort from the outset by the Falcons as they were facing elimination following Friday’s 11-5 loss.

“I knew Los Fresnos was going to come out swinging,” Behnsch said. “I told the boys at the very beginning that we had to weather the storm, and we did. We got hit by the first wave of the storm (when Los Fresnos scored three runs in the top of the first) and I just kept telling the guys to stay with our plan (and be patient). The boys continued on and continued on (until we got the win).”

Southwest’s Hernandez relieved starter Caine Agis in the sixth to earn the win. Teammate Luis Padilla came in for Hernandez in the seventh to earn the save, his 11th of the year and 20th over two seasons.

Hernandez, who played first base before relieving Agis, led the Dragons at the plate by going 3-for-4 with three RBIs. Teammate Elerie Rivera, the leadoff hitter, went 2-for-2.

For the Falcons, Miguel Gonzalez, Abel Rodriguez and Cristian Hernandez each had a pair of hits, including two RBIs for Hernandez. Joseph Munoz was 1-for-3 with two RBIs and teammate Hugo Sanchez was 1-for-3 with one RBI.

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

Anthony Cuellar is going from one successful soccer program to another at the next level.

The standout central defender for the Porter Cowboys signed an athletic scholarship agreement Thursday to play soccer for Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.

A signing ceremony was held at the Porter weight room with family, classmates, coaches and Brownsville ISD personnel in attendance.

Cuellar, a four-year starter and recipient of all-district and All-Metro honors, becomes the 44th college signee for Porter coach Jose Espitia, who just completed his 10th season guiding the Cowboys.

“I’m really happy for Anthony,” said Epitia, who directed the Cowboys to the Class 5A state title in 2016. “Anthony dedicated four years to our soccer team here at Porter. He was a very important part of our state championship team as a junior and also an important player for us the year before (in 2015) when we made it to the regional semifinals.

“We’re just very happy for him,” Espitia added. “We always encourage our players to do well with their grades (so they can be eligible for a scholarship). We know they can take care of business on the field, so the main thing (to focus on) is their grades. Anthony was able to do well with his grades and now he’s very excited and motivated to play soccer in college.”

Cuellar began his starting role for the Cowboys at fullback as a freshman and it wasn’t long before he moved inside to central defender to become an anchor for the team at that position.

“Porter has a lot of (soccer) history and we’ve always made it to the playoffs — (including) regionals and state — so I’m glad I got to be part of this team,” said Cuellar, who plans to study criminal justice in college. “This is a family. I have my own ring (for winning state as a junior). I feel great having played soccer here.

“Now I’m going over there to focus on my studies and soccer,” he added. “It’s always been like that for me — first comes school then sports.”

Cuellar will be joined on the soccer team at OLLU by former Porter teammate Reyes Saldivar, who just competed two years of playing at Laredo Community College and will be transferring to the San Antonio school.

The OLLU men’s soccer team won the Red River Athletic Conference title last season with a 6-0-3 record and finished 10-3-3 overall. The Saints compete in NAIA Division I.

“I think Anthony will do very well within our group,” OLLU coach Shane Hurley said. “He’s one of our top recruits for the coming (school) year. He’s a sound defender in the back. He’s really clean in his (ball) distribution and he’s versatile in how he plays. He has good vision and good leadership. We’ll probably move him around a little (and try him at different positions).”

Cuellar is eager for the next step of his soccer career to begin.

“I know it’s going to be harder and everything (at OLLU), but I can’t wait to step on the field and play college soccer,” he said. “I can’t wait to start my four years over there.”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

The arrival of May typically means someone from Port Isabel will be advancing to the UIL state track & field meet.

At least it’s been that way for a few track seasons now.

This year, the Tarpons are sending three athletes to the state meet at University of Texas-Austin’s Mike A. Myers Stadium. The event starts today and runs through Saturday.

They are Natalie Garza in the 400-meter run, Joseph Ian Torres in the shot put and Sydney “Trey” Mock in the discus throw. Mock competes at noon Friday, while Torres’ event is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday. Garza runs her event at 7:45 p.m. Saturday.

Torres and Mock are seniors and making their first trips to state. Garza, a junior, is returning to Austin a second time after placing fourth in her event at state a year ago.

It took finishing first or second at the Region IV-4A meet in Kingsville on April 28 to earn a trip to state. Mock placed first, while Torres and Garza were each second.

“I feel like I’ve accomplished something because of the hard work I’ve put in to go to state again,” said Garza, who holds this season’s Valley-best time for her event at 57.79 seconds. “It’s pretty amazing (for three of us from Port Isabel to be going) because we’re a small town. Trey, Ian and myself have shown others that we can achieve anything if we put our minds to it.

“I think going up there and watching all the other girls race before I run (Saturday night) should calm my nerves a little bit,” she added. “Hopefully I can see other competitors run (before my event) and feel more comfortable.”

Added girls track coach Julie Breedlove, “For Natalie to make it back to state is kind of a feat in itself. There’s a lot of pressure on an athlete trying to go back, so we’re real excited about her doing that. I’m so proud of her. She’s put her heart and soul into her season. It’s neat to see us take three people up there.”

Earlier this month Torres signed an athletic scholarship agreement to throw the shot put for the University of Houston, so doing well at state would just add to his accomplishments.

“I’ve been wanting to make it to state since I was a freshman, so this is a great feeling,” said Torres, who recorded a personal best of 51 feet, 5 inches in his event at regionals. “A trip to state has been my main goal. The other years didn’t go the way I wanted (by not making it out of area competition). This year is special because it’s my last year.

“My main goal at state is to throw a personal best and the second goal is to win,” he added. “Everyone goes (to state) to win. No one goes just to place. It’s very good to be representing our town and the Valley as well.”

Mock owns the Valley’s top mark in the boys discus this year with a distance of 172 feet, 3 inches. It’s the top qualifying throw for state in his class.

“I’m real proud of our whole team because we finished second at District (32-4A),” Tarpons track coach Joe Gonzales said. “These young men helped get us there. It shows that we have some real hard workers here at Port Isabel. These athletes know what this trip to state is all about and they’re working hard to get that medal.”

Added assistant coach Al Senteno, “Getting to state has been the goal since the first day of practice for these athletes. I think they’ve been peaking since the Meet of Champions. They’ve been getting ‘PRs’ almost every week since then, I believe. Our expectations are we’re going up there to win it. We’ve talked about it already. One of those nine competitors in each of the events at state is going to win it, so why not us?”

Roy Hess covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @HessRgehess

By ROY HESS, Staff Writer

As an athletic trainer, Jimi Cantu is living out the promise he made to himself after his best friend was injured while playing football and subsequently died in 1972.

Cantu, currently the Lopez Lobos’ athletic trainer, has spent 36 years in his chosen profession. He traces his career path back to a single tragic and impactful event as a student at Harlingen’s Vernon Middle School.

It was 1972 when Cantu’s best friend suffered a serious head injury while playing in a freshman football game. When no one else immediately reacted to help, a parent came out of the stands to perform CPR and keep the player alive.

The player was hospitalized, but never regained consciousness and died three days later.

“We were like brothers,” Cantu said of his friend.

“(With no trainer there) no one knew what to do for him, not even the coaches,” added Cantu, a 1976 Harlingen High graduate who received his college degree in 1981 from Pan American University. “I made a promise that I would never (again) be a spectator (in a situation like that) and watch someone die.

“The reasons are personal and different (as to why someone becomes a trainer). For me, that was it. I know I may not be able to save everyone, but I want to do what I can.”

Cantu has worked as an athletic trainer at every one of Brownsville’s six public high schools plus he had a 10-year stint at Los Fresnos. In 1979-80, he spent two summers in Florida as the trainer for a baseball team in the Houston Astros’ minor league organization.

He is considered one of the Rio Grande Valley’s leading athletic trainers.

Cantu, 58, will be among the inaugural class of inductees at Saturday’s Valley Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame banquet at Edinburg Event Center. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. with a ceremony to follow at 7 p.m. Tickets to the event were pre-sold and no longer are available.

VATA has existed 16 years and this will be the organization’s first hall of fame class.

Also to be inducted is the late Larry Lohr, who is regarded as the Valley’s first athletic trainer. Lohr worked at high schools in Donna, Weslaco, McAllen and La Feria.

Saturday’s other inductees include Raul Zamarripa (Harlingen High, retired), Jim Lancaster (UTRGV), Cathy Gilberto (San Benito), Dennis Walker (La Joya, retired) and James Meguire (Rio Grande City).

Bob Aparicio Jr. (Mission, retired) is scheduled to receive the VATA Dedicated Service Award.

Jason Starkey, Lopez’s football coach/athletic coordinator, said Cantu is well-deserving of Saturday’s recognition.
“We’re super blessed to have Jimi in the Brownsville school district,” Starkey said. “There’s a reason he’s being honored.

“While Jimi is an outstanding athletic trainer, he does so much more for our campus than just tape ankles and treat injuries,” the Lopez coach added. “He’s helped transform a lot of our students (with his strong faith). He brings the spiritual aspect to our campus. His faith, his marriage and his leadership provide an example for all of us.”

Starkey said Cantu is the Fellowship of Christian Athletes sponsor at Lopez who has organized before school gatherings for students, including the football team, plus a Bible study for the coaches.

“I wouldn’t be the coach that I am without Jimi Cantu on our campus,” Starkey said.
Cantu said his role as a trainer has changed over the years to include teaching and mentoring students who want to someday enter his field as a profession.

“I have no plans to stop now,” he said. “I love what I’m doing. It’s been a great (school) year here at Lopez and I’ve had a great career. I don’t feel that God’s done with me yet.”