The Laredo Independent School District announced on Thursday the promotion of Frank De Hoyos to the position of athletic coordinator/head football coach at Cigarroa High School.
“I was happy, happy I’ll get an opportunity to coach this football team,” De Hoyos said when asked of his reaction to the news. “I’m very excited and grateful for this chance.
“We’re going to do the best possible job. No excuses, just results.”
De Hoyos had been interim coach since Manny Martinez resigned on July 13 to accept the same position at Memorial High with Edgewood ISD in San Antonio.
De Hoyos has been with LISD for 28 years and at Cigarroa for 26.
Read more about De Hoyos' hiring in Friday's LMT Sports and at www.lmtonline.com.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
More on regional golf move
Jaimez has an updated report available at RGVSports.com.
You can read it here.
The report basically confirms the Region IV-5A boys and girls golf tournaments' move to the Valley, as well as other details in an official announcement expected to be made later this afternoon.
You can read it here.
The report basically confirms the Region IV-5A boys and girls golf tournaments' move to the Valley, as well as other details in an official announcement expected to be made later this afternoon.
Region IV-5A boys, girls golf tournaments to move to Valley
RGVSports.com's Eladio Jaimez is reporting that Rio Grande Valley athletic directors are expected to announce today that the Region IV-5A boys and girls golf tournaments will move to the Valley for the next three years.
Jaimez reports that "this will be the first time the Valley has played host to a regional tournament outside of swimming and tennis. The Valley has hosted Class 5A regional swimming meets before in Brownsville and Class 3A regional team tennis tournaments in Harlingen. But bringing the Class 5A golf tourney to the Valley could open the doors to other regional tournaments in other sports in the future."
Basketball (University of Texas-San Antonio), volleyball (St. Mary’s) and track & field (Alamo Stadium) Region IV-5A and IV-4A tournaments are all held in San Antonio.
Jaimez reports that "this will be the first time the Valley has played host to a regional tournament outside of swimming and tennis. The Valley has hosted Class 5A regional swimming meets before in Brownsville and Class 3A regional team tennis tournaments in Harlingen. But bringing the Class 5A golf tourney to the Valley could open the doors to other regional tournaments in other sports in the future."
Basketball (University of Texas-San Antonio), volleyball (St. Mary’s) and track & field (Alamo Stadium) Region IV-5A and IV-4A tournaments are all held in San Antonio.
Class 5A and 4A soccer and tennis tournaments also take place in S.A.
You can read Jaimez's report here.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Cross country fun
Cross country fanatics will be pleased with Monday's LMT Sports.
Clara Sandoval has a mini-preview of the upcoming season, for both districts.
Also, she'll be making the rounds to each school this week as part of our "Camp Central" for cross country.
She'll feature one program a day, so be sure to be on the lookout for that. Each feature will be our centerpiece for that day's Sports section.
Clara Sandoval has a mini-preview of the upcoming season, for both districts.
Also, she'll be making the rounds to each school this week as part of our "Camp Central" for cross country.
She'll feature one program a day, so be sure to be on the lookout for that. Each feature will be our centerpiece for that day's Sports section.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Seasons on the brink
Fall sports open official preseason practices soon.
Cross-country: July 27
Football: Aug. 3.
Volleyball: Aug. 3.
Cross-country will be featured prominently in LMT Sports so be on the lookout for that.
Cross-country: July 27
Football: Aug. 3.
Volleyball: Aug. 3.
Cross-country will be featured prominently in LMT Sports so be on the lookout for that.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Gonzalez wins tourney
Bianca Gonzalez, who will be a junior at United High School this fall, won the Girls’ 16 singles division at the USTA Houston Champs Tournament over the weekend.
In the finals she defeated Kristina Raphael from College Station, 6-2, 3-6, 10-8 (super tiebreaker).
With the win, Gonzalez advanced to the Super Champ (USTA Texas) level of play, the best of the best junior tennis players in Texas.
In the finals she defeated Kristina Raphael from College Station, 6-2, 3-6, 10-8 (super tiebreaker).
With the win, Gonzalez advanced to the Super Champ (USTA Texas) level of play, the best of the best junior tennis players in Texas.
Alexander Summer Football camps
On July 27-30, there will be a junior football camp for anyone in the 6th grade and under.
This camp is open to all kids in Laredo. The participants will be coached by the Alexander coaching staff. The camp runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Registration starts at 8 a.m. at the Alexander fieldhouse.
Fee is $35.
On Aug. 3-6, the camp will be for players in grades 7-9.
This particular camp is just for students attending Clark Middle, United Middle and Alexander High.
The camp will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Registration starts at 8 a.m. at the Alexander fieldhouse.
Fee is $35.
This camp is open to all kids in Laredo. The participants will be coached by the Alexander coaching staff. The camp runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Registration starts at 8 a.m. at the Alexander fieldhouse.
Fee is $35.
On Aug. 3-6, the camp will be for players in grades 7-9.
This particular camp is just for students attending Clark Middle, United Middle and Alexander High.
The camp will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Registration starts at 8 a.m. at the Alexander fieldhouse.
Fee is $35.
Corrections on "More on Manny"
It was brought to my attention on Friday morning that there was incorrect information in my blog "More on Manny" that I posted earlier this week.
1) In the blog, I stated that Martinez had a problem with Nixon High Coach Brad Hopkins. That was poorly worded. Martinez had an issue with his salary at LISD, and when he went into explanation about why, he used Hopkins' situation as an example to lrdsportswire.com and laredomediasports.com.
2) Martinez is taking a salary cut, not a raise, in transitioning to San Antonio Memorial. In fact, it is an $8,000 cut. In the blog, I stated that he was getting a raise because that was the information I was told in regard to his resignation earlier that afternoon. That was not the case.
For both of these miscues, I sincerely apologize. Manny and I had a positive, professional relationship during his time here in Laredo and I wish him the best of luck in his move to San Antonio.
1) In the blog, I stated that Martinez had a problem with Nixon High Coach Brad Hopkins. That was poorly worded. Martinez had an issue with his salary at LISD, and when he went into explanation about why, he used Hopkins' situation as an example to lrdsportswire.com and laredomediasports.com.
2) Martinez is taking a salary cut, not a raise, in transitioning to San Antonio Memorial. In fact, it is an $8,000 cut. In the blog, I stated that he was getting a raise because that was the information I was told in regard to his resignation earlier that afternoon. That was not the case.
For both of these miscues, I sincerely apologize. Manny and I had a positive, professional relationship during his time here in Laredo and I wish him the best of luck in his move to San Antonio.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Alexander's Lopez, Thompson move on
Alexander High graduates Robert Lopez and Katelin Thompson signed letters of intent on Wednesday to play baseball and softball, respectively, at the collegiate level.
With his parents, Roberto Sr. and Sylvia Lopez, looking on, Lopez signed with NAIA Division II Lindenwood University, in St. Charles, Missouri, to play baseball for the Lions.
He will join fellow Alexander football teammate Aldo Hernandez, who signed to play football at Lindewood in early June.
“My dreams have always been to play college ball, and Alexander baseball has allowed me to fill those dreams,” Lopez said.
Thompson, with her parents Brad and Sandra Thompson looking on, signed her letter of intent to attend Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas, and play softball for the Lady Bluejays, who compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.
“I am very excited that Tabor has given me this opportunity to continue to play softball,” Thompson said. “I have been playing since I was nine and all that hard worked paid off.”
With his parents, Roberto Sr. and Sylvia Lopez, looking on, Lopez signed with NAIA Division II Lindenwood University, in St. Charles, Missouri, to play baseball for the Lions.
He will join fellow Alexander football teammate Aldo Hernandez, who signed to play football at Lindewood in early June.
“My dreams have always been to play college ball, and Alexander baseball has allowed me to fill those dreams,” Lopez said.
Thompson, with her parents Brad and Sandra Thompson looking on, signed her letter of intent to attend Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas, and play softball for the Lady Bluejays, who compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.
“I am very excited that Tabor has given me this opportunity to continue to play softball,” Thompson said. “I have been playing since I was nine and all that hard worked paid off.”
Monday, July 13, 2009
More on Manny
If you haven't heard by now, Manny Martinez has resigned from his post as head football coach/athletic coordinator at Cigarroa to take the same position at San Antonio Memorial.
You can read all about it here.
Martinez cited family reasons for moving. His wife and three daughters are in San Antonio and he was intent on moving once LISD never brought his wife, who is a teacher, in, as was allegedly promised when Martinez came two years ago.
He gets a pay raise, slight, but the program he goes to has not won a game in two years.
Martinez exclusively spoke to Laredo Media Sports and Laredo Sports Wire on Monday afternoon. It's a terrific four-part interview where Martinez discusses all in regard to his transition.
One particular, though less significant, reason behind his departing came up when he spoke to the two media entities.
He noted that he was not satisfied with his pay -- in particular, he is getting paid less than Brad Hopkins and Don Davis, LISD's other two athletic coordinators/head football coaches.
In fact, he was getting $10,000 less, and his issue was with Hopkins, who has just one more year of head coaching experience than he.
That was of grave concern to Martinez, who said he was not getting more because of his lack of experience.
Martinez also noted the sizable salary difference between UISD and LISD. According to him, United South head football coach Jose Briones, who had no head coaching experience prior to last season, is getting paid as much as United High's David Sanchez, Laredo's top head football coach at the moment.
Basically this correlates to why so many LISD teachers/coaches depart for UISD. The pay and reward is significantly greater, while LISD is content to just hold par.
Sanchez, more or less, is getting $84 grand a year. Davis, reportedly, is getting around $76-78, which would put Martinez, more or less, around $66-68.
So, yes , Martinez may be leaving to be with his family and to be a "better husband and father", but it certainly doesn't help that LISD is far from par for the course in regard to teacher/coach salaries.
Overall, I believe Manny to have been a good head coach who truly cared for his kids. He seemed to enjoy making himself an outsider amongst Laredo's high school football legion, but he is not leaving Cigarroa in completely bad shape and did emphasize discipline and responsibility during his tenure.
I will always believe that he went behind Rick Alaniz's back to get back to Cigarroa -- he was the defensive coordinator for four years -- in the first place, but bygones are bygones.
I enjoyed my time talking with Manny and believe he's a good guy. It's good to see someone put family first and I wish him all the best in San Antonio.
You can read all about it here.
Martinez cited family reasons for moving. His wife and three daughters are in San Antonio and he was intent on moving once LISD never brought his wife, who is a teacher, in, as was allegedly promised when Martinez came two years ago.
He gets a pay raise, slight, but the program he goes to has not won a game in two years.
Martinez exclusively spoke to Laredo Media Sports and Laredo Sports Wire on Monday afternoon. It's a terrific four-part interview where Martinez discusses all in regard to his transition.
One particular, though less significant, reason behind his departing came up when he spoke to the two media entities.
He noted that he was not satisfied with his pay -- in particular, he is getting paid less than Brad Hopkins and Don Davis, LISD's other two athletic coordinators/head football coaches.
In fact, he was getting $10,000 less, and his issue was with Hopkins, who has just one more year of head coaching experience than he.
That was of grave concern to Martinez, who said he was not getting more because of his lack of experience.
Martinez also noted the sizable salary difference between UISD and LISD. According to him, United South head football coach Jose Briones, who had no head coaching experience prior to last season, is getting paid as much as United High's David Sanchez, Laredo's top head football coach at the moment.
Basically this correlates to why so many LISD teachers/coaches depart for UISD. The pay and reward is significantly greater, while LISD is content to just hold par.
Sanchez, more or less, is getting $84 grand a year. Davis, reportedly, is getting around $76-78, which would put Martinez, more or less, around $66-68.
So, yes , Martinez may be leaving to be with his family and to be a "better husband and father", but it certainly doesn't help that LISD is far from par for the course in regard to teacher/coach salaries.
Overall, I believe Manny to have been a good head coach who truly cared for his kids. He seemed to enjoy making himself an outsider amongst Laredo's high school football legion, but he is not leaving Cigarroa in completely bad shape and did emphasize discipline and responsibility during his tenure.
I will always believe that he went behind Rick Alaniz's back to get back to Cigarroa -- he was the defensive coordinator for four years -- in the first place, but bygones are bygones.
I enjoyed my time talking with Manny and believe he's a good guy. It's good to see someone put family first and I wish him all the best in San Antonio.
Cigarroa head football coach Manny Martinez resigns from post
Cigarroa Toros head football coach and athletic coordinator Manny Martinez resigned on Monday morning, leaving the position open just weeks before preparation for the upcoming season is set to begin.
Martinez, who had an 8-12 record in his two years as head coach at Cigarroa and did not reach the postseason, tendered his resignation letter on Monday after officially accepting the head football coaching position with the San Antonio Memorial High School Minutemen last Friday.
LISD athletic director Rene Ramirez will head the search for Martinez’s replacement and has already posted the position.
Though Martinez admitted “several” factors played into his decision, the primary and most important reason was his family.
“I’ve been away from my family for two years,” Martinez explained. “I’ve put my career in front of my family, and now it’s time for me to be a dad and a husband first.”
Added Ramirez, “As far as Manny is concerned, he’s going to be reunited with his family, and I’m sure he’s very happy. We appreciate what he did here, and I wish him all the best.”
Martinez’s wife, a teacher, had not been able to find a job in Laredo during his time with Cigarroa, and his three young daughters were beginning to feel the effects of being away from their father.
“My oldest daughter called me a couple weeks ago and really broke down,” Martinez said. “She told me we’re not a family anymore and that I’m not there for them when they go to bed at night. That was a side of her I had never seen; it made me feel very small.”
Martinez had not planned to leave Cigarroa when he went home for his non-contract days in June, but he decided to apply for the job at Memorial after seeing it in the Texas High School Football Coaches Association magazine.
“(My daughter) really made me evaluate what I wanted to do,” he said. “I loved coaching at Cigarroa… I could have been there 20 more years. It’s very unfortunate that I have to leave the Toros, but I need to be a husband and a dad first and foremost.”
Martinez, who had an 8-12 record in his two years as head coach at Cigarroa and did not reach the postseason, tendered his resignation letter on Monday after officially accepting the head football coaching position with the San Antonio Memorial High School Minutemen last Friday.
LISD athletic director Rene Ramirez will head the search for Martinez’s replacement and has already posted the position.
Though Martinez admitted “several” factors played into his decision, the primary and most important reason was his family.
“I’ve been away from my family for two years,” Martinez explained. “I’ve put my career in front of my family, and now it’s time for me to be a dad and a husband first.”
Added Ramirez, “As far as Manny is concerned, he’s going to be reunited with his family, and I’m sure he’s very happy. We appreciate what he did here, and I wish him all the best.”
Martinez’s wife, a teacher, had not been able to find a job in Laredo during his time with Cigarroa, and his three young daughters were beginning to feel the effects of being away from their father.
“My oldest daughter called me a couple weeks ago and really broke down,” Martinez said. “She told me we’re not a family anymore and that I’m not there for them when they go to bed at night. That was a side of her I had never seen; it made me feel very small.”
Martinez had not planned to leave Cigarroa when he went home for his non-contract days in June, but he decided to apply for the job at Memorial after seeing it in the Texas High School Football Coaches Association magazine.
“(My daughter) really made me evaluate what I wanted to do,” he said. “I loved coaching at Cigarroa… I could have been there 20 more years. It’s very unfortunate that I have to leave the Toros, but I need to be a husband and a dad first and foremost.”
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Sunday stars
Sunday's LMT has two marquee stories in store for the local high school sports fan.
One is our centerpiece, an in-depth look at what the new United High School has to offer from an athletic standpoint. You'll be in awe at the magnificent facilities and equipment that is in place, and LMT sports reporter Nino Cardenas talks to a plethora of school coaches to get their opinions on the new digs.
Also, LMT sports contributor Armando X. Lopez has a detailed feature on the collegiate progress of former Nixon High gridiron great Frank Vera. Football enthusiasts will be excited to see how far one of Laredo's own has come at the next level.
As always, if you have any feature ideas from the local high school level, leave a message on this blog, or email me at dsilva@lmtonline.com.
One is our centerpiece, an in-depth look at what the new United High School has to offer from an athletic standpoint. You'll be in awe at the magnificent facilities and equipment that is in place, and LMT sports reporter Nino Cardenas talks to a plethora of school coaches to get their opinions on the new digs.
Also, LMT sports contributor Armando X. Lopez has a detailed feature on the collegiate progress of former Nixon High gridiron great Frank Vera. Football enthusiasts will be excited to see how far one of Laredo's own has come at the next level.
As always, if you have any feature ideas from the local high school level, leave a message on this blog, or email me at dsilva@lmtonline.com.
Friday, July 10, 2009
8 caught cheating in Texas HS steroid tests
AUSTIN — Another 16,000 steroids tests of Texas public high school athletes caught eight cheaters.
The University Interscholastic League on Friday released the latest results of the 2-year-old program. They show that about 45,000 total tests have confirmed 19 cases of steroids use.
Given so few positive results, state lawmakers have agreed to scale it back over the next two years. The Legislature slashed spending for the program from $6 million to $2 million.
Besides the eight confirmed tests disclosed Friday, the UIL says there are another 62 cases deemed “protocol positives.”
That happens when an athlete has an unexcused absence on the day they are selected for testing or refuses to provide a urine sample.
The latest results were from tests conducted from January through May.
The University Interscholastic League on Friday released the latest results of the 2-year-old program. They show that about 45,000 total tests have confirmed 19 cases of steroids use.
Given so few positive results, state lawmakers have agreed to scale it back over the next two years. The Legislature slashed spending for the program from $6 million to $2 million.
Besides the eight confirmed tests disclosed Friday, the UIL says there are another 62 cases deemed “protocol positives.”
That happens when an athlete has an unexcused absence on the day they are selected for testing or refuses to provide a urine sample.
The latest results were from tests conducted from January through May.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Laredo programs compete at USA Texas Lineman State challenge
The biggest, strongest and fastest linemen that Texas has to offer took their turns competing in the USA Texas Lineman state challenge in Duncanville on Wednesday.
Over 50 schools from across the state qualified for the competition, including the United Longhorns and Nixon Mustangs, along with individuals from Martin and United South.
Arlington won the 5A event, followed by Duncanville and Cinco Ranch.
The Longhorns and Mustangs finished outside the top 10, but no official results were available at press time.
The Longhorns’ top finisher was DJ Ballesteros, who finished in third place in the hand-over-hand sled pull with a time of 7.78.
“The kids competed really well and they gave us a 100 percent effort,” said United offensive line coach Ernesto Sandoval, who took Alexander High to state in the same meet last season. “The important thing is that they realized that they can compete with anybody in the state.”
The Mustangs, like the Longhorns, also relished the opportunity to test themselves against the state’s best.
“I heard that we did really well in the team tire flip, where we shaved about 15-16 seconds off our time in Laredo,” Nixon head football coach Brad Hopkins said. “We also did really well in the hand-over-hand sled pull and in the sandbag load.
“The heavier events were toward the end and some metro area coaches praised our efforts, as some of our kids really stuck out. So we competed really well and the kids got into it. I’m very proud of how they represented our high school and community. Any positive that our kids can bring to the program just brings more self esteem our way.”
The following are the United High results in the eight different events.
In the sandbag, Patrick Castañeda took a time of 27.78, Derek Hale 28.81, Ballesteros 29.94, Rene Barroso 29.00, and Kevin Lujan 31.54.
In the hand-over-hand, Ballesteros finished in a time of 7.78, Castañeda 8.84, Lujan 9, Barroso 10.75, and Hale 12.78.
In the sled pull, Jose Ortega finished in a time of 5.62, Hale 6.29, Castañeda 6.34, Lujan 6.37, and Barroso 6.4.
In the medicine ball, Ballesteros threw the ball a distance of 32-7, Hale 31-1, Castañeda 30, Valadez 27-5, and Barroso 27-3.
In the farmer’s walk, Ballesteros finished in 6.88, Barroso 9.71, Ortega 10.34, Castañeda 11.23, and Lujan 11.66.
In the bench, Ortega did 8 repetitions, Hale 7, Barroso 6, Lujan 3, Castañeda 2.
In the team events, the Longhorns took 2:05.44 in the tire push and 13:56 in the truck push.
Over 50 schools from across the state qualified for the competition, including the United Longhorns and Nixon Mustangs, along with individuals from Martin and United South.
Arlington won the 5A event, followed by Duncanville and Cinco Ranch.
The Longhorns and Mustangs finished outside the top 10, but no official results were available at press time.
The Longhorns’ top finisher was DJ Ballesteros, who finished in third place in the hand-over-hand sled pull with a time of 7.78.
“The kids competed really well and they gave us a 100 percent effort,” said United offensive line coach Ernesto Sandoval, who took Alexander High to state in the same meet last season. “The important thing is that they realized that they can compete with anybody in the state.”
The Mustangs, like the Longhorns, also relished the opportunity to test themselves against the state’s best.
“I heard that we did really well in the team tire flip, where we shaved about 15-16 seconds off our time in Laredo,” Nixon head football coach Brad Hopkins said. “We also did really well in the hand-over-hand sled pull and in the sandbag load.
“The heavier events were toward the end and some metro area coaches praised our efforts, as some of our kids really stuck out. So we competed really well and the kids got into it. I’m very proud of how they represented our high school and community. Any positive that our kids can bring to the program just brings more self esteem our way.”
The following are the United High results in the eight different events.
In the sandbag, Patrick Castañeda took a time of 27.78, Derek Hale 28.81, Ballesteros 29.94, Rene Barroso 29.00, and Kevin Lujan 31.54.
In the hand-over-hand, Ballesteros finished in a time of 7.78, Castañeda 8.84, Lujan 9, Barroso 10.75, and Hale 12.78.
In the sled pull, Jose Ortega finished in a time of 5.62, Hale 6.29, Castañeda 6.34, Lujan 6.37, and Barroso 6.4.
In the medicine ball, Ballesteros threw the ball a distance of 32-7, Hale 31-1, Castañeda 30, Valadez 27-5, and Barroso 27-3.
In the farmer’s walk, Ballesteros finished in 6.88, Barroso 9.71, Ortega 10.34, Castañeda 11.23, and Lujan 11.66.
In the bench, Ortega did 8 repetitions, Hale 7, Barroso 6, Lujan 3, Castañeda 2.
In the team events, the Longhorns took 2:05.44 in the tire push and 13:56 in the truck push.
Monday, July 6, 2009
United High, local athletes pepare for USA and Texas Lineman Challenge state tournament
The USA and Texas Lineman Challenge state tournament will be held Wednesday in Duncanville.
The overall team winner and individual winner from the local event held on Saturday, June 27, qualified for the meet.
The competition consisted of eight events: the bench press for reps, medicine ball throw, hand-over-hand sled pull, sled drag, farmer's walk, sandbag load, team truck push and team tire flip.
The tire flip is flipping a tractor tire for 20 yards, the hand-over-hand sled is puling a sled weighted down at 135 pounds for 15 yards, the medicine ball throw is self-explanatory, the farmer's walk consists of hauling a 135-pound bar in each hand for 25 yards, the sled drag is running with a harness of 135 pounds, the sandbag is hauling a 50-pound bag from one side to another, and the truck push is seeing how fast you can push it 50 yards.
United High edged out Martin by one point, 35-34, for the first-place team finish.
For United line coach Ernesto Sandoval, it was his second consecutive year of taking a team to the state meet. Last year he took the Alexander High team.
The individual winners for each event are as follows:
===============================================================
Hand-over-hand sled pull:
United South's Adrian Trinidad, with a time of 9.66. He gets the nod because the first two places belonged to United in D.J. Ballesteros (8.58) and Patrick Castaneda (9.46), and they had already qualified as a team.
Sandbag load:
Trinidad again took this event, with a time of 31.43 seconds.
The top three places were United players in Derek Hale (28.75), Ballesteros (29.66) and Kevin Lujan (31.34).
Farmer's walk:
Alexander's David Ramirez won with a time of 6.85. In second place was Martin's Jerry Niño with a time of 7.91.
For Niño, the second time around was a big improvement from last year.
"I wasn't that good," Niño said of last year.
This time, he was ready to prove that he had the discipline to improve.
"I worked hard, and the motivation to do it was my team," Niño said.
He, like many young kids, are hoping a strong offseason program catapults them to the first string defense.
Medicine ball:
Ramirez kept up his strong performance with another victory.
His throw went for 35.85 yards. In second place was Nixon's Kevin Castro, with a throw of 33.55.
Truck push:
The team event was won by the Martin Tigers, with a time of 12.5 seconds.
In second was United with a time of 13.22, and South followed at 13.27.
Sled drag:
Rick Martinez of Nixon won the event with a time of 6.2 seconds, followed by Martin's Carlos Gomez (6.27), Zapata's Sammy Cobos (6.4) and Nixon's Kevin Castro (6.41).
All local kids didn't qualify, though, because they didn't compete in all six individual events.
Cobos is the 3A representative. For 5A, the honor falls on South's Trinidad, with a time of 6.47.
Bench press:
Martin's Freddie Chavarria and South's Trinidad tied with 16 repetitions apiece.
Ramirez and Niño followed with 14 reps each.
Tire flip:
The Longhorns took the second team event with a time of 2:04.
The Mustangs followed with a time of 2:12.32. Alexander was third with a time of 2:13.82.
=============================================================
A larger, more in-depth preview profile of the state meet will be in LMT's Sports Section on Wednesday.
The overall team winner and individual winner from the local event held on Saturday, June 27, qualified for the meet.
The competition consisted of eight events: the bench press for reps, medicine ball throw, hand-over-hand sled pull, sled drag, farmer's walk, sandbag load, team truck push and team tire flip.
The tire flip is flipping a tractor tire for 20 yards, the hand-over-hand sled is puling a sled weighted down at 135 pounds for 15 yards, the medicine ball throw is self-explanatory, the farmer's walk consists of hauling a 135-pound bar in each hand for 25 yards, the sled drag is running with a harness of 135 pounds, the sandbag is hauling a 50-pound bag from one side to another, and the truck push is seeing how fast you can push it 50 yards.
United High edged out Martin by one point, 35-34, for the first-place team finish.
For United line coach Ernesto Sandoval, it was his second consecutive year of taking a team to the state meet. Last year he took the Alexander High team.
The individual winners for each event are as follows:
===============================================================
Hand-over-hand sled pull:
United South's Adrian Trinidad, with a time of 9.66. He gets the nod because the first two places belonged to United in D.J. Ballesteros (8.58) and Patrick Castaneda (9.46), and they had already qualified as a team.
Sandbag load:
Trinidad again took this event, with a time of 31.43 seconds.
The top three places were United players in Derek Hale (28.75), Ballesteros (29.66) and Kevin Lujan (31.34).
Farmer's walk:
Alexander's David Ramirez won with a time of 6.85. In second place was Martin's Jerry Niño with a time of 7.91.
For Niño, the second time around was a big improvement from last year.
"I wasn't that good," Niño said of last year.
This time, he was ready to prove that he had the discipline to improve.
"I worked hard, and the motivation to do it was my team," Niño said.
He, like many young kids, are hoping a strong offseason program catapults them to the first string defense.
Medicine ball:
Ramirez kept up his strong performance with another victory.
His throw went for 35.85 yards. In second place was Nixon's Kevin Castro, with a throw of 33.55.
Truck push:
The team event was won by the Martin Tigers, with a time of 12.5 seconds.
In second was United with a time of 13.22, and South followed at 13.27.
Sled drag:
Rick Martinez of Nixon won the event with a time of 6.2 seconds, followed by Martin's Carlos Gomez (6.27), Zapata's Sammy Cobos (6.4) and Nixon's Kevin Castro (6.41).
All local kids didn't qualify, though, because they didn't compete in all six individual events.
Cobos is the 3A representative. For 5A, the honor falls on South's Trinidad, with a time of 6.47.
Bench press:
Martin's Freddie Chavarria and South's Trinidad tied with 16 repetitions apiece.
Ramirez and Niño followed with 14 reps each.
Tire flip:
The Longhorns took the second team event with a time of 2:04.
The Mustangs followed with a time of 2:12.32. Alexander was third with a time of 2:13.82.
=============================================================
A larger, more in-depth preview profile of the state meet will be in LMT's Sports Section on Wednesday.
High school summer tennis action
The LBJ and Martin High tennis programs are active this summer.
The LBJ tennis team will be hosting a free tennis camp Tuesday and Wednesday at the LBJ tennis courts.
Admission is free to area feeder schools and incoming 9th graders are encouraged to participate for fall practice. Tennis fundamentals will be taught. Please call Jose Flores at 645-4832.
The camp starts from 8:15 a.m. to 10 am all three days.
Participants are asked to bring their own sports drinks. Water will be provided. There is no charge for the camp.
The Tigers tennis team starts conditioning workouts on July 20.
Workouts are from 9 to 11 a.m. Any MHS student in grades 9th through 11th wishing to join the tennis team and all returning lettermen and incoming freshmen are urged to report to the front of the old MHS gym at 8:30 am.
If there are any questions, to call Coach Fausto Dovalina Jr. at 324-2185.
The LBJ tennis team will be hosting a free tennis camp Tuesday and Wednesday at the LBJ tennis courts.
Admission is free to area feeder schools and incoming 9th graders are encouraged to participate for fall practice. Tennis fundamentals will be taught. Please call Jose Flores at 645-4832.
The camp starts from 8:15 a.m. to 10 am all three days.
Participants are asked to bring their own sports drinks. Water will be provided. There is no charge for the camp.
The Tigers tennis team starts conditioning workouts on July 20.
Workouts are from 9 to 11 a.m. Any MHS student in grades 9th through 11th wishing to join the tennis team and all returning lettermen and incoming freshmen are urged to report to the front of the old MHS gym at 8:30 am.
If there are any questions, to call Coach Fausto Dovalina Jr. at 324-2185.
LBJ football update
I chatted a bit with LBJ quarterbacks/receivers coach Richard Alaniz today.
He told me things are going well and that the team is improving step by step. He expects everything to be ready to go when the team starts preseason practices on Aug. 3.
The Wolves went 0-10 last season, Oscar Villasenor's first with the club as head coach.
But they return 16 starters - eight on offense, eight on defense. An early projected star is junior middle linebacker Joe A. Solis.
The Wolves finished last in District 31-4A last season, but Dave Campbell has them ranked seventh for this season, ahead of Nixon and Cigarroa.
Projected offensive standouts for LBJ are quarterback Guillermo Claudio and wide receiver Edwin Adams.
He told me things are going well and that the team is improving step by step. He expects everything to be ready to go when the team starts preseason practices on Aug. 3.
The Wolves went 0-10 last season, Oscar Villasenor's first with the club as head coach.
But they return 16 starters - eight on offense, eight on defense. An early projected star is junior middle linebacker Joe A. Solis.
The Wolves finished last in District 31-4A last season, but Dave Campbell has them ranked seventh for this season, ahead of Nixon and Cigarroa.
Projected offensive standouts for LBJ are quarterback Guillermo Claudio and wide receiver Edwin Adams.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Updates
As you read previously in this blog, United High baseball star A.J. Gomez formally signed his letter of intent to play baseball at the University of Texas at Brownsville yesterday.
Teammate Luis Pollorena is expected to sign with Alabama A&M tomorrow.
Teammate Luis Pollorena is expected to sign with Alabama A&M tomorrow.
LMT Sports goes YouTube
The Laredo Morning Times sports department is going YouTube.
Local sports videos are now being placed online at YouTube.com. Viewers can find the latest in big, local sporting events involving all areas of the Laredo sports scene.
The videos capture the latest sports feature, such as local motocross star Tom O’Connor III, as well as local team updates, such as bi-monthly reviews on the Broncos and others.
To visit the videos, just go to http://www.youtube.com/user/LMTSports.
Local sports videos are now being placed online at YouTube.com. Viewers can find the latest in big, local sporting events involving all areas of the Laredo sports scene.
The videos capture the latest sports feature, such as local motocross star Tom O’Connor III, as well as local team updates, such as bi-monthly reviews on the Broncos and others.
To visit the videos, just go to http://www.youtube.com/user/LMTSports.
Cigarroa High girls' basketball camp
Cigarroa will host a girls’ basketball camp July 13-16 from 8 a.m.-noon. Cost of the camp is $10, and campers can register on-site Monday, July 13 at 7:30 a.m.
For more information, contact Coach Irma De La Cruz at 324-9280 or by e-mail at divadelacruz@gmail.com.
For more information, contact Coach Irma De La Cruz at 324-9280 or by e-mail at divadelacruz@gmail.com.
Football camps
Martin football workouts
The Martin Tiger football coaches are conducting “summer pride” strength and conditioning workouts at the East Martin practice field. Workouts are from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays and will continue through July 23. There is no fee for the camp.
LBJ football camps
The LBJ Wolves football staff will host two free football camps this summer at the LBJ Practice Field.
An Extreme Summer Strength and Conditioning Camp for incoming freshmen and other high school players will be held from July 6–16 from 9-10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.
A football camp for fifth-ninth graders will be held July 27-30. All players who attend Los Obispos, Lamar Bruni Vergara and Salvador Garcia Middle Schools or area elementary feeder schools may attend. Fundamentals of football will be taught.
The first day of practice for high school players will be Monday, Aug. 3, at 7:30 p.m.
Players are to report to the LBJ Field house. Be sure and have all paperwork completed, most importantly, physical and drug forms. There will only be morning workouts.
For more information, contact Coach Oscar Villaseñor at 432-2883, Coach Jose Treviño at 337-0057 or Coach R. Bermea at (830)352-2324.
The Martin Tiger football coaches are conducting “summer pride” strength and conditioning workouts at the East Martin practice field. Workouts are from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays and will continue through July 23. There is no fee for the camp.
LBJ football camps
The LBJ Wolves football staff will host two free football camps this summer at the LBJ Practice Field.
An Extreme Summer Strength and Conditioning Camp for incoming freshmen and other high school players will be held from July 6–16 from 9-10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.
A football camp for fifth-ninth graders will be held July 27-30. All players who attend Los Obispos, Lamar Bruni Vergara and Salvador Garcia Middle Schools or area elementary feeder schools may attend. Fundamentals of football will be taught.
The first day of practice for high school players will be Monday, Aug. 3, at 7:30 p.m.
Players are to report to the LBJ Field house. Be sure and have all paperwork completed, most importantly, physical and drug forms. There will only be morning workouts.
For more information, contact Coach Oscar Villaseñor at 432-2883, Coach Jose Treviño at 337-0057 or Coach R. Bermea at (830)352-2324.
Cigarroa volleyball camp
Cigarroa will host a volleyball camp next Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m.-noon. Cost of the camp is $10, and campers can register on-site Monday at 7:30 a.m.
For more information, contact Coach Irma De La Cruz at 324-9280 or by e-mail at divadelacruz@gmail.com.
For more information, contact Coach Irma De La Cruz at 324-9280 or by e-mail at divadelacruz@gmail.com.
Volleyball camp canceled
The United High School volleyball camp scheduled for next week has been cancelled due to the fact that the new gym will not be completed for use. For refunds on pre-paid registration, please contact Coach Longoria at 251-0704.
St Aug seeking tennis coach
St. Augustine High School is looking for someone to coach the school’s boys’ and girls’ tennis teams.
This is a part-time, stipend-only position. Anyone interested in applying for this position should submit a resume to staugathletics@yahoo.com . If there are any questions, please contact Coach Rodrigo Romo at 724-8131.
This is a part-time, stipend-only position. Anyone interested in applying for this position should submit a resume to staugathletics@yahoo.com . If there are any questions, please contact Coach Rodrigo Romo at 724-8131.
Gomez moves on
On Wednesday afternoon at the new United High School, former United High baseball standout A.J. Gomez signed his letter of intent to play baseball at the University of Texas at Brownsville, a NAIA program that competes in the Red River Athletic Conference.
The signing only confirmed what was known two weeks earlier, but the formal announcement brought a strong dose of reality to A.J. and his father, and United High head coach, J.J. Jr.
“The last couple of days, when I was organizing his signing, it hit me that I was going to say goodbye to my son,” said J.J. Jr., who coached A.J. all four years in high school, the last three as head coach. “Not only am I losing a great player and great kid, but also my son. It’s both special and hard.
“Special because I get to watch him play college ball, and hard because I won’t be able to coach him anymore.”
A.J., meanwhile, said moving on and away from both his family and United High hadn’t struck him yet, but that he was anxious to get started.
“It probably won’t hit me until the first day of college,” he said. “But it’s exciting. It’s everybody’s dream to play at the next level so I’m ready.”
Gomez, who also played football and basketball for the Longhorns, put the finishing touches on a dynamic high school baseball career this past season, when he was named to the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association all-state first team as a second baseman.
He was also named to the District 29-5A first team.
He batted .432 this season, tallying 28 RBIs with 11 doubles and two home runs.
“We watched him play as a junior and kept tabs on him since then,” University of Texas at Brownsville head baseball coach Bryan Aughney said. “Hearing from coaches who played United, they said he was one of those guys we had to have. He has a winning mentality and that’s what we’re trying to build.
“He’s a guy we’re excited to watch grow over the next four years.”
The Longhorns have, arguably, been the top baseball club in South Texas over the last two years.
They were state semifinalists in 2008 before ending this season as regional semifinalists.
“As a coach, it’s an honor when you have a player move on to the next level,” J.J. Jr. said.
“That’s what everybody shoots for, and we try to get 2-3 kids each year to move up. It speaks well about our program.”
As a father, J.J. Jr. was in full support of the move.
“It’s a good four-year program,” he said. “It’s a great baseball place and Coach (Aughney) is really excited about getting things going. It was A.J.’s decision to go there and he felt really comfortable about a program that’s on the up.”
Gomez had other offers, including Laredo Community College and Texas A&M International, but felt right at home in Brownsville.
“As soon as I stepped on campus, I felt wanted,” he said. “The coaching staff was great and really nice and it just seemed like the right place to go.”
The signing only confirmed what was known two weeks earlier, but the formal announcement brought a strong dose of reality to A.J. and his father, and United High head coach, J.J. Jr.
“The last couple of days, when I was organizing his signing, it hit me that I was going to say goodbye to my son,” said J.J. Jr., who coached A.J. all four years in high school, the last three as head coach. “Not only am I losing a great player and great kid, but also my son. It’s both special and hard.
“Special because I get to watch him play college ball, and hard because I won’t be able to coach him anymore.”
A.J., meanwhile, said moving on and away from both his family and United High hadn’t struck him yet, but that he was anxious to get started.
“It probably won’t hit me until the first day of college,” he said. “But it’s exciting. It’s everybody’s dream to play at the next level so I’m ready.”
Gomez, who also played football and basketball for the Longhorns, put the finishing touches on a dynamic high school baseball career this past season, when he was named to the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association all-state first team as a second baseman.
He was also named to the District 29-5A first team.
He batted .432 this season, tallying 28 RBIs with 11 doubles and two home runs.
“We watched him play as a junior and kept tabs on him since then,” University of Texas at Brownsville head baseball coach Bryan Aughney said. “Hearing from coaches who played United, they said he was one of those guys we had to have. He has a winning mentality and that’s what we’re trying to build.
“He’s a guy we’re excited to watch grow over the next four years.”
The Longhorns have, arguably, been the top baseball club in South Texas over the last two years.
They were state semifinalists in 2008 before ending this season as regional semifinalists.
“As a coach, it’s an honor when you have a player move on to the next level,” J.J. Jr. said.
“That’s what everybody shoots for, and we try to get 2-3 kids each year to move up. It speaks well about our program.”
As a father, J.J. Jr. was in full support of the move.
“It’s a good four-year program,” he said. “It’s a great baseball place and Coach (Aughney) is really excited about getting things going. It was A.J.’s decision to go there and he felt really comfortable about a program that’s on the up.”
Gomez had other offers, including Laredo Community College and Texas A&M International, but felt right at home in Brownsville.
“As soon as I stepped on campus, I felt wanted,” he said. “The coaching staff was great and really nice and it just seemed like the right place to go.”
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