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Fall 2013Volume 3, Issue 1

Publisher/Senior EditorJay Tope

Art Director/GraphicsGracie Jimenez

WritersEric CastilloRonnie KadykowskiSarah MartinezTim Springer

PhotographersTony Morano

Bob Atkins

Kenneth Click Robbin Cresswell

Paul Garcia Ismael Gomez Ralph Mawyer Dave Olmos

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www.SAsports.comIt’s good to be back.As much as that statement applies to this magazine, it also represents how blessed this school year has already meant to us here at SAsports.com. This quarterly edition of the SAsports.com Magazine is free, 32 full color pages, and paid in full by our generous advertisers and sponsors. That’s a blessing in itself. But there are many other things to be thankful for. Tony Morano and our six other photographers liven up the website and magazine like no other media outlet in South Texas. Mark Kusenberger and our other writers are getting the story out about the area student athletes better than ever. The website content, complete with schedules and scores, is more up-to-date than it has ever been. And on the first Friday night of the 2013 high school football season, we shattered

our website traffic record – no small feat, since we’ve been around since 2001. Take a good look at this magazine. Our designer, Gracie Jimenez, has been a dream to work with. I’m sure she wouldn’t say the same about me – I’m the most disorganized person on the planet. But she has helped create this with a smile, and I hope I can keep her around for many more issues. I mentioned our advertisers. I cannot stress enough how important they are to the daily operations of SAsports.com. Please support their businesses. Let them know how much good they are doing for the youth of our community. More than anything else, SAsports.com’s website and magazine will continue to be there to promote the positive publicity of high school student athletes and activities. The change has been felt on this end. All of the emails, phone calls and texts we’ve received

over the past month reminds us that we are back on top. The energy at our Tour Stops (high school appearances) has never been greater.

It’s good to be back.

Best wishes,

Jay TopeOwner and Senior EditorSAsports.com

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS

COVER STORYOlivia Hinojosa

pg. 24

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT

10 Jeremy Jones 11 Brandon Ramon 12 Shelby Yanta 18 Garrison Armstrong

IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Teams to Watch 8 Players to Watch 22 We’re Everywhere

30 Final Thoughts “The Power of a Dream”

26 School Briefs Angela, Driston, and Mallory update you

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Teams to WatchBlanco Panthers

This might be the best Panther volleyball team yet. Outside hitter Reagan Rogers gets much of the publicity, but setter Lexee Jenkins is creating a buzz around South Texas. Coach Amy Hackebeil could very well be sending this team to the regional tourney this season, as they are knocking off teams left and right in bigger classifications.

Photo: Tony Morano

Churchill ChargersThe odds-on favorite to win the 5A regional championship, and they’ve done nothing to change that prediction so far. Ranked in the top 25 nationally, they still have stiff competition in their district (Reagan) and in the region (New Braunfels), but with D-I commitments like Abby Buckingham playing for the Chargers, their toughest competition might just be themselves.

Photo: Bob Atkins

Hays RebelsSo far this season, the volleyball team from Buda has knocked off powerhouse after powerhouse, including state-ranked teams such as Dripping Springs, Smithson Valley, and Wimberley. And coach Erica Walther will have her Rebels ready for district play, which includes some of the top 4A teams in the state.

Photo: Hays Free Press

Nueces Canyon PanthersUnder the direction of Freddy Falcon, the Panther Band has advanced to the UIL state competition every year eligible in his 10 years at NCHS. This year’s goal: win a state championship, something Nueces Canyon has done once before - back in 1986. For band aficionados, the state championships will be at the Alamodome November 4-5, 2013.Photo: Vernon Prather

Jourdanton IndiansYou know what you’ll get when you attend a JHS band performance; Director of Bands Manuel Romo has been crafting the students’ musical performance for many years, and colorguard director Nathan Flynt will give you visuals that will make you forget you’re watching a 2A band. They’ve got a great chance to be inside the Alamodome, marching instead of watching.Photo: Amanda Lanier

Dripping Springs TigersThe UIL 4A State Championship Marching Band Festival happens every two years. In 2009, Dripping Springs won state. In 2011, they finished second. Anyone doubt their ability to return to the Alamodome this year? Director Keith Lancaster will undoubtedly field another awesome unit this marching season, and it’s always worth your time to see the Mighty Tiger Band perform.Photo: Alamopics.com

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Judson RocketsIn 2012, Mark Smith came in as head football coach seemingly unconcerned about ‘The Streak’, representing the longest number of winning seasons in a row at 35. He also changed the offensive scheme. Not only did the streak continue last year, now these Rockets are making noise as if they are ready to replace Steele, O’Connor, and Madison as the top 5A football team in the area. You know – just like they used to be in the 80’s, 90’s, and the 00’s.Photo: Paul Garcia

Falls City BeaversOnly a few years removed from a state championship, this Falls City team should be very special. Much like Judson, the Beavers brought in a new coach to replace a legend. And much like Mark Smith for Judson, Steve Marbach had the town in a sea of blue come playoff time. Expect this team to be playing football in December.Photo: Tony Morano

Brennan BearsThis will more than likely be the last year in 4A for Brennan, with an attendance area that continues to grow. So look for the Bears to continue with their assault on the area 4A and 5A teams, en route to a likely spot in the state semifinal game. Photo: Tony Morano

Antonian Apaches - BoysThe Antonian boys have captured four straight TAPPS 5A State Championships, and four straight individual champions as well. Coach Devlyn Lovell has become a legend on cross country coaching, but deflects all credit to the kids. The girls team at Antonian captured three straight titles as well, but fell four points short on the state title last year. This season, the boys have won the team title at Boerne Champion and New Braunfels. It’s a great start to a promising season.

Photo: Jesus Ramirez

Harper Ladyhorns - GirlsLast year, Harper finished second in the UIL 1A State Cross Country meet, losing by three points. This year they plan on winning the state meet, having only lost one runner to graduation. Led by Taylor and Payton Reid, the Ladyhorns are ready to make a statement.

Photo: Images By Mike Keith

Boerne Champion Chargers - BoysThis team has consistently been at or near the top of the state cross country rankings every year, and they should compete for another state title in 2013. Coach Dave Fulkerson is always quick to deflect credit, but with his trophy case full of state titles and a national championship, it’s a hard sell.

Photo: Kerry Barboza

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Krista KolbinskieReagan HS - Volleyball

Players to Watch Gabby VasquezJefferson HSVolleyball

Freddy LongoriaCarrizo Springs HS - Football

Arrion SpringsRoosevelt HS - Football

She never dreamed of playing volleyball until her mom pushed her into playing in middle school; since then the hard work has paid off for the junior outside hitter. Go to a Jefferson volleyball game, and you don’t have

to ask Coach Theresa Ralston which one is Gabby. After the first few thunderous kills during warm-ups, one says to themselves, “That must be Gabby.” Last year as a sophomore she gained a starting position on varsity and received second team all district. Fast-forward to the present, and the junior is now making all-tournament teams, playing club ball, and taking AP classes for college credit. She hopes to be a history teacher and volleyball coach, and wants to follow in her idol Destinee Hooker’s footsteps. She’s quick to credit everyone, especially her close family.

The two-sport athlete played her first two years of high school volleyball and basketball at Incarnate Word High School, and has been at Reagan high school since the beginning of her junior year. Last season after only playing a few weeks with the Rattler volleyball team, she fractured her left hand, missing most of her volleyball season. But she recovered quickly enough to play in district competition, where the outside hitter impressed everyone – including the University of Arkansas, where she’ll

be playing volleyball after graduation. In addition, she’s been a three year starter on the both the Shamrock and Rattler basketball teams. This volleyball season she seems

to be making up for the lost time last year, helping teammates Ashlie Reasor and others challenge rival Churchill for the district volleyball crown.Photo: Tony Morano

Already known as one of the best cornerbacks in the country, the senior has already committed to the University of Oregon. He loves the coaching staff, loves the atmosphere on campus – and loves the uniforms. In his first senior football game August 29, he also showed offensive skills, scoring three touchdowns as a receiver. Yes, he’s that skilled. With the skills of Springs and others on the Rough Riders football team, new head coach Matt Carroll might see this team return to the playoffs.Photo: Robbin Cresswell

After a successful junior year in which the Wildcats defeated Hondo for the first time in many years, Freddy picked up where he left off on opening night in 2013, scoring three touchdowns in Carrizo Springs’ big win over Cotulla. He rushed for over 1300 yards as a junior and scored 12 touchdowns; both easily attainable for Longoria this year barring injury. When he’s not making noise as a running back, he’s sprinting and throwing shot put for the Wildcats’ track and field team. After making the playoffs last year for the first time in several seasons, watch for Freddy and the rest of the Wildcats to make some history in 2013.Photo: Paul Garcia

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Gabby VasquezJefferson HSVolleyball

James RodriguezDilley HS - Cross Country

Devin ClarkSmithson Valley HS

Cross CountryThere’s not a lot that Devin has to prove after two years of dominating the area distance running. Last year she won district, the region, and placed fourth at state. This year has gotten off to a great start, as Devin won first place in the highly competitive New Braunfels Invitational. As always, her stiffest competition looks to be New Braunfels runner Paige Hofstad. She does incredible things during the track season as well, but one might not know she is also a standout soccer midfielder for the Smithson Valley Rangers. The biggest question her competitors ask - when will this girl graduate, already?Photo: Sam Roberts

His freshman year, he finished 18th in the state at the UIL 2A cross country championships. Last year, James moved up to 12th place. This year he might get some bigger hardware; he’s already won the Pearsall invitational Cross Country meet – by 30 seconds. In addition to track, he also plays RB/DB for the football team, and plays on the Dilley basketball team.

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Sports Spotlight

by JAY TOPEphotography by TONY MORANO

‘Too Long’ Jones. The nickname fits. Especially when you’re six feet six inches tall, and you’re the starting quarterback for the East Central Hornets. But even though he’s that tall, he still looks upward to his family, and to his faith. Jeremy comes from a big family, and it’s a family that has revolved around the Holy Spirit. It’s a faith that Jeremy holds deep, and it comes from his mom and dad, first and foremost. Also included in that family is his grandfather, who not only attends every game Jeremy plays, but attends every practice. ‘Family is very important to me,” says Jeremy. “I look up to my grandpa, my mom, dad, three brothers and my sister. Mom has given me the support I needed and the discipline.” This will be a different year for him, though. His brother Christian graduated last year, and Jeremy is on his own now, as a senior. He loves to play not only football, but basketball. He’s played both from the time he was in sixth grade. Earlier this summer, he committed to play football at Rice University. That fact should tell you even more about Jeremy Jones. The young man is incredibly intelligent.

Jeremy loves math, and wants to get his degree from Rice in business. He’s got a great start on both fronts. When it comes to math, the Hornets’ quarterback is going to be adding a ton of numbers to his passing stats. For a school that has relied for so long on their running game, that might sound like something impossible to attain. Enter Jeremy’s new head football coach, Clint Hartman. The 1993 graduate of East Central is back home; in fact, Hartman’s parents still live in the district. Over the past five years, his Clear Springs football team went 40-18, and ran a very successful spread offense. He has now brought that same spread offense to his alma mater. And Jeremy Jones is ecstatic. This year’s goals are simple. Win district and become state champions. The team, Jeremy and Coach Hartman included, believe they can beat anyone. That includes that school from Cibolo. “If you want to be the best,

you’ve got to be the best,” stated Jones. “And no team has played better over the past few years than Steele. “ Talent and faith can create amazing things. Jeremy Jones has both of those assets, and is poised to have an amazing season.

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Sports Spotlight

by SARAH MARTINEZphotography by TONY MORANO

Many young boys dream of being a successful athlete when they reach high school. For Harlandale HS quarterback Brandon Ramon, this dream has become a reality. What’s more amazing: Ramon has achieved greatness in a short amount of time. Unlike most great football players today that have been playing since they were very young, Ramon has only been playing the game since he was in 7th grade. “All of the guys played football in middle school, so I wanted to play too,” Brandon said of his humble beginning. In the five years since Ramon started playing football, the now 17-year-old athlete has come a long way. Brandon, who has been on the varsity team since his sophomore year, said his

game improved immensely just from his sophomore to junior year. His hard work and dedication to the game paid off when he won the all-district MVP award last year. Ramon’s personal triumphs helped the Indians have an amazing 2012-2013 season. Harlandale went 9-3 and made it to the second round of playoffs, which had not been achieved since the 2009-2010 season. When asked what the team is doing to prepare for this season, Ramon said they have been working out all summer and have done a lot of team bonding. Head football coach Isaac Martinez and the rest of the Indian coaching staff are very interactive with the team. Brandon says that his friendship

with his teammates and coaches motivate him and help him strive as an athlete. This being Brandon’s senior year, he is excited to see how far the Indians can get this season. “I think we’re a good enough team to win district and go 10-0,” he confesses. “We have a lot of good

guys coming back, so we have a strong team.” As the captain, Ramon hopes to become a better person, friend, athlete, and leader. The young quarterback is ready for the 2013-2014 season with the support of his teammates, coaches, family, and community, and hopes to make them proud. Brandon, who is also a very talented basketball and baseball player, has high, but certainly achievable, plans for college. He hopes to get a scholarship to play one of the three sports in college. When asked if he hopes to make a career in sports, he laughed and said, “If I’m blessed enough, yes ma’am.” Brandon Ramon definitely has the talent to achieve that success. Best of luck to him and the Indians.

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Sports Spotlight

by JAY TOPE

There are free spirited people in this world. These individuals seem to go about their lives without a care in the world; they inspire the people around them, showing friends, family, and in Shelby Yanta’s case, teammates – the happiness that defines living. The junior middle blocker for the most historic 2A volleyball team in the state of Texas is one of the many reasons that the Poth Pirettes will continue to have success during the 2013 season, with or without her on the court. I’ll get to that in a bit. Coming into the Poth gym to interview Shelby, I talked to a few of the coaches while I waited for Yanta to arrive. The word ‘fiery’ was the universal description of her. Watching her on the volleyball court, you sense very quickly that the description is accurate. The competitiveness is hereditary. Her mother Laurette Yanta played sports at Poth, and graduated in 1985. Father Jim Yanta is a rancher that graduated from former rival Runge High School. Sister Rhealyn was a three-sport standout for the Pirettes, graduating in 2009. And Garrett, her older brother, also played three sports successfully at Poth; he graduated in 2012. Everyone in her family has become a Texas A&M Aggie. Now, it’s Shelby’s turn. Legendary coach Patti Zenner, who has won many state championships and over 600 victories since taking over the head volleyball duties at Poth 20 years ago, was not short in her praise of the fiery junior. “Shelby is a special athlete,” Zenner explained. “She’s five feet seven inches, but a deceptively good blocker; timing is everything defensively at the net, and it just comes naturally for her.”

Photography by TONY MORANO

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Yanta is also very straight forward and blunt when it comes to the game of volleyball. She can butt heads with the two seniors on the Poth team - Devon Dylla and Jordan Schneider. While this could be a potential problem with some coaches and players, Zenner loves it because she’d rather work with a girl that communicates effectively. “It’s tough sometimes because we have our disagreements,” says Yanta, “but I know she knows what she’s talking about. She can instantly teach you how to fix things. And I absolutely love Devin, Jordan, and the rest of my teammates.” If only Zenner could fix Yanta from some other things. Remember, this high school junior is a free spirit. And sometimes things happen to the free-spirited types. When she was younger, she was hurt in a trampoline accident. In fifth grade, she was playing in the weight room when she wasn’t supposed to; another injury. Two years later, Shelby broke her toe

playing volleyball – playing barefoot. She also plays basketball, another sport that the Poth Pirettes send to state quite often. Last year while playing, Yanta tore her meniscus, and her kneecap popped out of place – during practice. This season in volleyball, Yanta rolled her ankle severely. In typical Shelby Yanta fashion, she blames herself for not wearing ankle braces. But even off the court, she is there to fire up her teammates. She also is involved with FFA, raising steers, and just about everything she can find time to do during her busy schedule. After all, that’s what free-spirits do.

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Five secrets to your best season everby TIM SPRINGER

About the author: Tim Springer is the founder and pro level trainer for Spartan Basketball. He has over a decade of experience coaching elite high school, college, and pro players (NBA, WNBA, Euroleage). You can follow Tim on Twitter at @coachspringer

BE THERE BEFORE YOU GET THERE.

BE IN SHAPE.

SEE THE BIG PICTURE.

BE A GREAT MANAGER OF TIME.

HAVE A SKILL DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM IN PLACE.

In other words, have a plan of what you want to accomplish before the season even starts. Many players drop the ball (no pun intended) of starting the season strong because they don’t know what they want or how they are going to achieve it. It’s absolutely imperative to have a vision for what you want to accomplish for the season. This includes personal achievement goals as well as team oriented goals.

Early into the pre-season, the coaching staff lays out the vision for the team. This is your opportunity to buy into what they are selling. Then figure how to fit your personal goals into the vision of the team. Although you may want to concentrate on personal achievement, it really comes down to what benefits the team.

One of the worst messages you can give to a coach on day one is that you are out of shape. This shows no real concern for your preparation. So you begin not only behind the others because of your conditioning, but have left a bad perception in the coach’s eyes to start the season.

The season gets here fast. When you add school to the mix, things can get hectic. Those that manage their time well seem to juggle the two best. Make specific times when you can focus on school, sport, and family. Also just as important: incorporating times of rest. They come few and far between during the season, but are critical to prevent injury and burnout.

95% of all practices cover team concepts. There is very little time allotted for personal skill development. However, players in the middle and high school range need to be constantly building their skill levels. Because of this, all players should have a plan outside of practice to work on these things. Getting a skills trainer like those from Spartan Basketball is also a great idea to keep the process going.

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by RONNIE KADYKOWSKIwww.FarkasEyeBlack.com

At the age of 13, Garrison Armstrong is a standout, national level baseball player in more ways than one. He tried out for and made the Baseball Factory/Under Armour National Team in July 2012.

Garrison then led that team to a title as the starting pitcher in the championship game of the National Tournament at Pirate City in Bradenton, Florida. He has since been invited back as a member of the national team

this July along with an invitation to try out for the USA NTIS DeMarini Elite 96 and other elite camps. These accomplishments are not the only amazing feat that Garrison has overcome in his young career. He has managed to achieve all of this success while only being able to see out of one eye. That’s right, Garrison is medically blind in his left eye, meaning the only real vision he has is entirely in his right eye. Garrison has an extremely rare condition called “Coloboma of optic nerve” or more commonly, Morning Glory Syndrome. The condition affects only one of every two

million Americans and is so rare that few tests have been done to study and treat it.“It’s called morning glory because when they take a light to the eye and look at the back it’s really white and resembles the center of a Morning Glory flower,” Shawn Armstrong, Garrison’s father, explained. “Medically he is blind in that one eye. He cannot see out of it and he can only see shapes and shadows and a little bit of color, but nothing where he could close his right eye and see you [out of his left],” Shawn said. Morning Glory occurs in the womb when the optic nerve behind the eye never fully develops a connection between the eye and the brain. Typically the prevalence will occur only in one eye, resulting in moderate to severe blindness, which in turn causes depth perception and balance issues. Yet, despite being born with Morning Glory, Garrison has continually defied the odds and proven the doubts of many doctors wrong. “Garrison has been playing [baseball] since he was three,” Shawn said, “and we really didn’t know exactly what was

Sports Spotlight

going on with his eye or anything. The doctor said something was wrong, but we didn’t know until he was probably about six or seven when he could actually sit down and the doctor asked him, ‘what’s wrong, what can

and can’t you see?’ And once [Garrison] could tell us, that’s when we knew something was wrong. “[Doctors] really don’t have an answer. They said, you’re not supposed to be able to do this kind of stuff and he’s proved them wrong. It can be done.” In order to play, though, Garrison’s parents wanted to make sure he took every safety precaution to prevent his eye from becoming more severely damaged. While playing first base and outfield, Garrison will always be seen wearing protective goggles on cloudy days and specially designed Oakley sunglasses for sunny days. But the most unique look he sports is when he takes the mound and puts on a protective face mask reminiscent of the face masks worn by softball players. “My wife and I, we went through all kinds of stuff trying to figure out ways to let him do things just like anybody else,” Shawn said. “With the goggles and then with the mask, he was going to be able to get on the mound. Mama put her foot down and said, ‘you know what, without

that mask he does not get on the mound.’ [So] we told him that you’re going to have to wear the mask through [little league], through high school, into college, and so on, whether he likes it or not because Mama is going to be

there no matter what, whether he likes it or not. It’s a safety thing. It’s what you’ve got to do and he said, ‘ok, I’ve got to do what I have to do.’” “[Teammates and opponents] kind of look at me, [see the mask], and they ask,” Garrison said. “If they don’t ask, they kind of ask around about what’s wrong with me. They ask if I were cross-eyed or something like that. And I tell them my story… about how I was born with it and have gone through every day [with it].” Garrison believes that

no matter what doctors, opponents, or teammates may think, his condition is helpful and motivating to his play. “If I could see out of my left eye and I were blind like I am now in my right, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be as good,” Garrison said. “There’s something with being left-handed that has kind of changed everything. The way I see it, being blind in the one eye has kind of helped. It makes me think about how other kids can see out of two eyes and they can do what they do but I’m doing what I do with only one eye.” Another way Garrison has overcome his disability and improved his play came as a result of mimicking his baseball idol, Bryce Harper, by wearing eye black grease during competition. “[Garrison would] wear a littlebit [of eye black] here and there,” Shawn said. “We tried all different kinds of things and everything. The stickers,

Garrison believes that no matter what doctors, opponents, or teammates may think, his condition is helpful and motivating to his play.

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everything, nothing seemed to work. We’d use those little wax sticks, [they were] all nasty and got all over everything. “Then Bryce Harper comes and Garrison, at that age, started getting older and better, we said, ‘you know what, let’s try different stuff.’ We got Farkas Eye Black and he loved it. Went on easy, came off easy. But the main reason was that it works and because of Bryce.” A common problem associated with Morning Glory is increased strain and stress placed on the un-affected eye, or right eye in Garrison’s case. Studies have shown that eye black grease reduces glare and, for Garrison, this has meant less strain on his good eye. “I’ll always have eye black on,” Garrison said. “Whether it be a night game or during the day, I’ll just always have it on. The Oakley’s I’ll just wear if I’m up to bat or it’s just sunny I’ll wear them. When I come in to pitch I’ll put on the goggles and still have the eye black on.” “He says the glare is actually less with Farkas than with other stuff,” Shawn said. “With that one eye, of course, you have to strain a little bit more. Farkas… took a lot more strain off when he used it than when he had the other stuff on.” “Whenever anyone is putting on eye black they don’t put as

much on [as I do],” Garrison explained, “…and when they do it’s just a little bit. “I feel that I kind of have a one-up on everyone for just wearing it. It’s different from everyone else.” When asked where he wants to be in five and ten years, Garrison gave the answers you’d expect from an aspiring teenage baseball player. “In five years I just want to be a kid,” Garrison said. “Hopefully at a D1 college, if not, I just want to be somewhere where I can get even farther. In ten years, I want to be able to play in the MLB, just like Bryce Harper going to the MLB at 19 that would be amazing to do. In ten years, being in the MLB - that would just be crazy.” If there’s anything that Shawn and Garrison hope people learn from his story, it’s the ability to believe in one’s self and never give in to preset limitations.“With his eye he does have to work twice as hard as other people sometimes,” Shawn explained. “He puts in the work, but he has to work twice as hard to come out and do it. You look at some things he does with one eye and some of the kids can’t do it with two eyes. And that makes it even more of an accomplishment or fascination… These disabilities can be overcome… He’s doing

it.” Garrison was invited back to the Baseball Factory/Under Armour Camp this past July and also had a tryout with the USA National Team in Austin the previous month. He has started his freshman year at Samuel V. Champion High School in Boerne, Texas this fall.

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ON THE COVER

Olivia Hinojosa Cross Country/Track La Vernia High School

by JAY TOPESenior Editor of SAsports

Photography by TONY MORANO

There are some people that we come across in life that will brighten your day, no matter what is going on in your life, and regardless of what is happening in theirs. Olivia Hinojosa is one of those people. The junior cross country and track runner from La Vernia always has a smile on her face, and it’s genuine. It made things difficult when we were trying to shoot the cover photo for our magazine; with a title such as ‘Unfinished Business’, you need a tough-looking photo that will make other competitors fear your upcoming season exploits. But it’s not in Olivia’s nature to be mean, or even pretend to be. Olivia has been a medalist at the State Cross Country Championships as a freshman and sophomore. She led her team to consecutive team Silver Medal finishes. In track, she is La Vernia’s school record holder in the 3200 (11:23:09) and 1600 (5:23.93). She is the first La Vernia High female athlete to compete at the State Championships in two different sports in the same year and she’s now done it twice. Last year at the UIL state cross country championships,

She is the first La Vernia High female athlete to compete at the State Championships in two different sports in the same year, and she’s now done it twice.

they lost the state title by one point. That would make the nicest people among us just a little mean. But not Olivia; she just keeps on smiling, running, and impressing everyone. Her dad, head cross country and track coach Richard Hinojosa, is amazed. In his 31 years as La Vernia’s head coach, he has seen great student athletes before, so it’s tough for any runner to impress him, even if it’s your daughter. But Olivia almost never got a chance to run cross country or track. “We both look back and laugh because I tried steering her towards golf,” Richard explained. “My biggest concern and worry was that she would end up like me as a runner – slow!”

The road to cross country greatness hasn’t been an easy one for Olivia or her dad, for that matter. In 2000, when Olivia was only three years old and an only child, she lost her mom in a tragic motor vehicle-pedestrian accident while away at a business conference in California. Richard told us that afterwards, he depended so much on the love and support from his high school student-athletes, the La Vernia community, and most of all, his young daughter. “It was during those next few years afterwards that we cemented out father-daughter bond,” said Richard. “She was always at our cross country and track meets helping out, and as much as I tried to discourage her from running, it became second nature to her.” “She just liked being around our athletes, and it was like she had 50 older sisters. She’s been around hard working kids her whole life.” During the cross country meets she began to shine, and by the time she was in sixth grade, she was keeping pace with students much older than she was. She now holds several school running records – and still has two more years of high school to go. There’s

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also some unfinished business to take care of during cross country season. In the fall of 2012, the La Vernia girls cross country team was on the verge of winning the school’s first-ever team state championship. To those not familiar with how the team aspect of cross country scoring works, here’s the formula: team scoring is done by adding up the five best place finishes for your team in the race; the lowest team score wins. For instance, if your top five runners finish in 1st, 3rd, 5th, 8th, and 10th, you would add 1+3+5+8+10, giving you a team score of 27. No one ever wants to be the bearer of bad news. But Coach Richard Hinojosa had to deliver some disappointment to his team: they had finished second in the UIL 3A Cross Country State Championships – losing to Sanger High School by one point. It was a huge disappointment for the Bears from La Vernia. But for Olivia, she has overcome bigger losses, and seen things in her life turn around. Academically, she is one of the top students in her

classification with a current cumulative average of over 103. Olivia also participates in Model United Nations, and other academic competitions. She plays piano and enjoys baking. This year as a junior, she’s looking forward to having her younger sister Camille Roy attend the high school as a freshman. I know what you’re thinking. Olivia was an only child. That changed in 2004. For years after her mom passed away, friends of Richard Hinojosa tried to set him up on dates with others, and while he knows they meant well, he also knew that he would know when the time and person was right. And four years after the tragedy, he found someone that knew what he had been through. His current wife lost her husband to cancer at around the same time as he had lost his wife. And sometimes only those that have been through what they have truly understand each another. And as for the relationship between Olivia and her step-sister Camille? “I love my sister Camille,” Olivia corrected, “She’s my

sister; there is no ‘step’ in our family.” Olivia is for all intents and purposes, your average teen in many ways. She’s the quiet type – until you get to know her, and then some of her other qualities come out – like singing, She loves country and pop music – especially Hunter Hayes. And more than anything, she loves her cross country and track teammates. “She has a great concept of ‘team’,” her dad said. “She really cares for her teammates and her teammates care for her. They work well together and encourage each other to do better. They are hoping for another great season.”This year, Olivia and her cross country teammates are ready to take care of some unfinished business. Most of the girls team is back, and they adorn shirts that read ‘For the Ring’. Asking Olivia about her favorite cross country running course, she said without hesitation: “Old Settlers Park in Round Rock,” which just so happens to be where they hold the state championships every year.

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School BriefsThe halls of Somerset were ringing with anticipation for the coming game. Every side conversation through my classes sustained confidence in our football team’s abilities. I wasn’t sure if it was just a form of motivation or sheer lucidity of the events that proceeded a victorious coin toss to begin the game. We chose kickoff, which at first glance seemed like a credence that our defense would be more efficient than our offense... I could have never been so wrong. The defense was efficient, not allowing a first down on Lanier’s opening drive. After a punt barely exceeding midfield, Somerset began its first offensive drive and went on to break through the defense for a rushing touchdown. The first six minutes of the game we absolutely throttled Lanier on our way to a 20-0 lead. Down after down on offense we stayed consistent as our lead foot continued to push the chains in quick bursts like a uniformed team of pistons. On defense, Lanier’s O-line seemed to be trying to catch their own shadows. Somerset had the opposing quarterback scrambling on what it seemed like every snap to begin the game. The havoc-endowed defense held the fort while the firestorm of touchdowns from offense came as bricks just making a come back from Lanier just more and more unattainable to the structure of a 33 to zip halftime lead.

Driston Anthony GuzmanSomerset High School

Meet the Jackets is definitely a time for hilarious

skits with new teachers and crazy athletes, great music from the band, awesome cheering from the junior high and high school squads, oh and we can’t forget - the summer heat; though the heat is probably the one thing no one enjoys about Meet the Jackets because honestly, what’s not to like about having fun? Sabinal hosted the annual “Meet the Jackets” on August 14th where all the athletes, coaches, and new teachers are announced in front of the whole town but in a fun way that involves a few of the things earlier mentioned. It really is a great way to get the whole community involved before the school year starts! Football, volleyball, and cross-country season are here; The Sabinal Jackets had their first football game August 30 against the Brackett Tigers here in Sabinal, while cross country had their first meet the following morning on August 31.

Angela ContrerasSabinal High School

What a week! Big Games for both the football and volleyball teams. The volleyball team started the week off strong with two big 3-0 wins against Jourdanton and Uvalde. They continued the winning streak through the weekend and finished well with a championship win at the annual Holy Cross Tournament. Freshman Henrianna Ibarra, junior Marisol Ortega, and senior Julia Ibarra earned All Tournament awards for the Knights; senior Mallory Ozuna of Holy Cross picked up the MVP award for the tournament. On the football front, the energy and undeniable excitement over “The Holy Bowl” was felt all around school and buzzed throughout the city. This heated rivalry brought out hundreds of fans to Harlandale Memorial Stadium, as they witnessed the Holy Cross Knights take their 3rd straight victory over the Central Catholic Buttons. It was a crucial win for the Knights, as this marks the 1 year anniversary of beloved coach Chris Medina’s death. The proud Knights vowed to win this one for him going forward. This was also a stellar start to a very promising season as they have a great group of seniors , key returners, and some new additions that are more than beneficial to the lineup. I can’t leave out the unforgettable support shown from the dance team, cheerleaders, brand new and revamped band and of course, the largest and loudest Section N yet. All of these folks along with the extraordinary Holy Cross family supporters made it a night to remember.

Mallory J. OzunaHoly Cross High School Have your daughter or

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The Power of a DreamFinal Thoughts

by ERIC CASTILLOSPECIAL TO SASPORTS.COM

UIW defensive back Eric Castillo is not your typical college football player. At the age of 27 with no prior football experience, Castillo, who had everything and lost it all, chased a dream to play collegiate football at the University of the Incarnate Word and made it into a reality.

When I was growing up as a kid I was always surrounded by sports and loved to play. My dad grew up in San Antonio playing basketball, football and baseball at Lanier High School. He was fortunate to receive a scholarship to play football at the University of Missouri as a quarterback. His footsteps as an athlete were followed by my brother and I up until the high school level. At Marshall High School, I played basketball my four years, graduating in 2001. But my path changed considerably after graduation. I began a landscape company - mowing residential yards, trimming trees and the like; by the time I was 19 I had my first big commercial landscape contract with a local home builder. Three years later, we had two crews and with several large companies. By my 23rd birthday, I was married to the mother of my two children, Eric and Ethan. At the same time I was privileged to obtain a full time job at a local real estate company that paid for my real estate classes and a position as an assistant property manager, still running

my successful landscape company. But I lost focus of the most important things in my life. I started drinking in excess, and did what I wanted to please me. Suddenly I was lost. Happy but unfulfilled. Something was missing. The lifestyle I was trying to live at such a young age took a toll on me. I lost my family, my job and my landscape company. But the drinking didn’t stop. One night I had an accident that almost took my life. I remember waking up the next day in a hospital with a cast on my right hand. The doctors told me I would never be able to use my hand again. My identity was gone. Looking back, I feel that God put a roadblock in my life to remove all distractions. Eventually I was released from the hospital and I started to go to the gym to rehab my hand. It started with baby steps. Things got harder after that, but the hand started to get better. It was not an overnight transformation but slowly things started to change in my life. I knew I screwed up.

I took my talents and abilities and I spit on them. I took for granted the body that was given to me. 6 weeks out of the hospital I ran my first 5k.

The feeling I got from finishing that first run became an instant inspiration to me and I wanted more of that. Fitness became my road to recovery - spiritually, mentally and physically. I wanted to show people that I could overcome this injury and addiction. I started working for a small gym doing sales. A few months at the gym and I was asked to be a personal trainer. I ended up building a client base of 20 clients until one day I moved weights and machines into a friends garage where we made a makeshift gym that we called a training studio. I trained out of the garage for 6 months until I saved up enough money to move into a shopping center. I trained out of my own commercial studio for two years. One day I was sitting in the studio with some close friends and talking about adversity, life, dreams, and goals. My dream was to play college football, which seemed like just a dream because I never played high school football. But in November of 2010 at the age of 27, I closed my gym down to chase this dream. I hired a personal trainer by the name of Nathaniel Dilworth that had a background with track athletes. We trained for speed three days a week; meanwhile I trained a few clients of my own to stay afloat financially.

I remember applying at The University of Incarnate Word in December of 2010. A few days after I applied, I met Ed Garza, the former Mayor of San Antonio. I contacted him and we chatted about life, goals, and dreams. Initially UIW did not accept me, but I didn’t give up on my dream. I wrote an appeal letter with the help of Mr. Garza, and was accepted. With a second chance to chase my dream, I went to talk to the football coach immediately and was able to walk-on and start spring training with the Cardinals. The players and coaches have kept me grounded and inspired. I’m surrounded by a great group of guys, high school all star athletes and college transfers.

I am playing a sport I never played in high school and I take every day as an opportunity to learn the game and the position by a great group of teammates and coaching staff at UIW. Every time I step on the field I work hard. I might not be a starter or an all-star football player but I do know I give all I have to help and inspire others around me. I have learned values like accountability, determination, and team. People ask, “What made you want to play a sport at a college level at

this age?” The only answer I have for them are my sons Eric and Ethan. If they couldn’t be a part of my life now, I would do something in honor of them. It fills the hole in my heart. Sometimes a man must follow a dream even if it seems impossible; sometimes courage must overcome doubt, determination must overcome adversity and in the moment of truth, inner strength must be found. Every great story begins with a dream; every great dream can only be told through a story. I am now playing my last season. A 30 year old senior Division I college athlete today - living my dream.

Don’t ever give up.