RGVSPORTS.COM
Six of the Rio Grande Valley’s most talented coaches are nominees for Boys and Girls Coach of the Year honors that will be named on June 14.
The winners will be recognized at the 2016 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet at DoubleTree Suites in McAllen. Dallas Cowboys legend Drew Pearson is the keynote speaker for the event.
Representatives from the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame, The Monitor, the Brownsville Herald and the Valley Morning Star voted on three nominations for Boys Coach of the Year and three nominations for Girls Coach of the Year.
Rio Grande Valley Chevy Dealers is the presenting sponsor of the banquet. Representing the Rio Grande Valley Chevy Dealers are Bert Ogden Chevrolet, Clark Chevrolet, Fiesta Chevrolet, Gillman Chevrolet, Payne Weslaco Motors, Rio Motor Co. and Tipotex Chevrolet.
“AIM Media Texas is extremely excited about this partnership with RGV Chevy Dealers,” said Stephan Wingert, Regional Vice President and Publisher of The Monitor. “We have been recognizing the Valley’s top varsity athletes for many years, but with their help we are able to make this event something really special for the nominees across the Valley.”
Pearson, who was inducted into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor in 2011 after a standout career defined by his performances in the clutch, will highlight the function hosted by RGVSports.com in conjunction with the RGV Sports Hall of Fame.
The awards banquet will begin at 6 p.m. and recognizes team and individual standouts in multiple sports over the past year. Tickets are $40. All nominees get in free.
To buy tickets to the banquet, log on to TheMonitor.com, BrownsvilleHerald.com, or ValleyStar.com and click on the rgvsports_banquet link on the toolbar on the home page of each website.
The nominees for Boys Coach of the Year:
>> Lalo Rios, Edinburg Vela basketball: Rios led the SaberCats to a 35-4 record and the Class 5A state semifinals. Vela was the first Valley school to go to state in boys basketball since 2009.
>> Margarito Jimenez, Progreso soccer: Jimenez led the Red Ants to a school-record 22 wins and advanced his team to the Class 4A state championship game.
>> Jose Espitia, Brownsville Porter soccer: Espitia led the Cowboys to a 28-0-1 season, a top national ranking and the Class 5A state title.
The nominees for Girls Coach of the Year.
>> Ashley Moncivaiz, Harlingen High basketball: Moncivaiz led the Lady Cards to a 34-2 season and an undefeated District 32-6A title.
>> Becky Woods, Los Fresnos volleyball: Woods reached career win No. 600 in leading her team to another district championship and the third round of the Class 6A playoffs.
>> Magda Canales, McAllen Rowe volleyball: Canales’ Lady Warriors went 11-1 in an intense District 30-6A and advanced to the Class 6A regional semifinals.