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Lady Blue Devils track team makes school history, sending students athletes to state

PRESIDIO – This past weekend, the Lady Blue Devils competed at the Regional Track Meet (Region I-3A) Championship at Abilene on Friday and Saturday, April 27-28.

There are four UIL Regions in the state and the top two competitors from each region advance to state. Also, the third best place from all four regions called the wildcard advances to the state competition.

The Lady Devils qualified for the state meet in the following events:

The 4×100 meter relay team went into the Regional Meet with a time of 51.45 and in prelims ran a personal record of 50.44 to advance the regional finals.

The Lady Devils went into the finals as a huge underdog with the slowest time and had them ranked in 8th place.

But when it was time to shine they did by breaking their previous personal record of the day before and running a 50.08 in the finals.

The Relay Team got the silver as they finished in 2nd place to punch their ticket in to Austin. This was an outstanding performance and accomplishment by the Lady Devils, including, 1st leg, Katelynn Valenzuela; 2nd leg, Daniela Valenzuela; 3rd leg, Jennifer Flores; 4th leg, Alondra Olivas.

The 4×200 meter relay quartet went into the Regional Meet with a time of 1:48.01 and again broke personal best records in prelims 1:45.63 and finals 1:44.12.

The girls relay team also got the silver as they finished in 2nd place to advance to the state track meet in Austin: 1st leg, Jennifer Flores; 2nd leg, Daniela Valenzuela; 3rd leg, Alondra Olivas; 4th leg, Katelynn Valenzuela.

This is the first time in school history that a Relay Team qualifies the 4×100 and the 4×200 to the State Track Meet in Austin.

Selena Saldana competed in the 3,200-meter run, entering Regionals with a time of 12:35. She ran a personal record of 11:54 and finished in 3rd place. Unfortunately, she was not awarded the wildcard to race in state but, she is an alternate for the 4×100 and 4×200.

Daniela Soto Valenzuela competed in long jump and jumped a personal record of 17 feet 8.25 inches and finished in 3rd place. She was not awarded the wildcard for this event.

Soto Valenzuela also competed in the triple jump and jumped a personal record of 37 feet and 4.75 inches and finished in 3rd place. She was the best third place triple jump in all 4 Regions and was awarded the Wildcard to punch her ticket to Austin. She is currently holding the 3rd best jump in the state.

Daniela is the first Lady Devil in school history to qualify to the State Track and Field Championship in field events. She qualified to in three events.

It was a great day to be a Lady Devil, said coach Mayra Lujan. No matter what order they finished, they are one of the top nine in the state of Texas.

“We are very proud of them, when you see them please let them know we are proud and wish them good luck next week,” the coach said.

The Track and Field State Meet will be on Friday-Saturday May 11-12. Thank you for your support.

Lady Blue Devils are bi-district champions

PRESIDIO – The Presidio Lady Blue Devils varsity softball team defeated the Big Lake Owls in a best of three series to claim this year’s 2018 Bi-District Championship.

The games were near shutouts, 11-1 and 9-1, with Presidio sweeping the Owls and avoiding a tie-breaker, said assistant softball coach Caesar Barriga

Next, it the Area title within the grasp of Lady Blue, as Presidio faces the Shallowater Mustangs in a best of three series, beginning with game one at 7pm Friday in Crane. Game two is 11am Saturday.

Go, Lady Blue Devils!

Blue Devils play for bi-district title

PRESIDIO – The Presidio Blue Devils varsity baseball team, this year’s district runner-up, plays for the bi-district championship at 7pm today, Thursday, May 3 in Crane against Ballinger.

Good luck, Big Blue!

L to R- Alexia Marquez, Samantha Jimenez, Linda Ojeda, Georgina Brugette, Arturo Alferez, Eliana Catano, Alyanna Hernandez, Kendra Serrano, and Paulo Vargas. (Bottom)Tais Chanez, Isabella Morales, Rebecca Ontiveros, Kaci Flores, Elena Hernandez

Seasons come to an end for Shorthorns, but, oh, what a year

MARFA – The Marfa Shorthorns’ playoff run was cut short of the UIL Texas State Championships this year as golf, softball, and track were unable to survive the month of April and fell short of getting past the regional level.

However, the girls’ teams were District Champs in volleyball, cross country, basketball, softball, and track this year, and Kendra Serrano advanced to the state cross country in the fall.

Golfers swing in to first regional tournament

MARFA – Golfers Samantha Jimenez and John Aguero both entered their first career Regional Tournament with a steady approach at the competition, and both improved their second round strokes in day two after familiarizing themselves with the course and their competition.

Aguero finished with a 113 score and Jimenez completed 18 holes with a second day of 125 (131 on day 1).

The freshman and sophomore teammates look forward to heading into next season with the experience gained from this season to make a hard push into state next year.

District champs in softball, but Lady Horns stymied for bi-district crown

MARFA – Marfa’s bats were alive and steady early Thursday night against Ira’s softball team as the Lady Shorthorns were led offensively by junior first baseman Alexia Marquez, who was 4-4 with 2 RBIs and a strong defensive performance by Kendra Serrano on the mound.

Serrano only allowed 3 earned runs, but 12 errors by Marfa’s infield allowed the Bulldogs to score 11 unearned runs.

Starting off the scoring for Marfa was Isabella Morales who got on base in the number two spot and was brought around to score with the help of Serrano, Georgina Brugette, and Marquez. Morales came around for a 1-1 opening inning. In the second inning, Ira scored two runs and Marfa bested that performance with 3 runs in the third inning and held a 4-3 lead heading into the fifth inning. On the mound, Serrano picked up 9 strikeouts, but several miscues around the diamond, allowed Ira to load the bases often in the fifth and sixth inning, leading to base hit scoring by Ira which dug Marfa into a 4-14 score heading into the seventh inning.

Designated hitter Eliana Cataño came in big for Marfa with a single down the right field line, which eventually allowed courtesy runner Tais Chanez to score off a Rebecca Ontiveros double. Ontiveros (2-4 with 2 doubles), also had an RBI in the inning with Kaci Flores, Elena Hernandez, and Samantha Jimenez moving runners for scores, but the team was unable to overcome a 6-14 deficit and dropped the Bi-District Championship.

Avery Beltran, Georgina Brugette, Kendra Serrano, Kaci Flores

Shorthorn student athletes take it in stride at regional track meet

MARFA – With softball’s Bi-District game and the Regional Track Meet both being held at San Angelo, the Shorthorn fans came out in full force to support the Marfa’s athletic program.

For the girls Georgina Brugette (400m, 4×400, High Jump, 100h), Kaci Flores (sprint relay, 4×400), Kendra Serrano (3200m, 4×400, high jump, sprint relay), Avery Beltran (4x400m 400m, 200m, long jump), Isabella Morales (4×100), Elena Hernandez (4×100), Alexia Marquez (shotput), and Tais Chanez (100m, sprint relay) competed strongly for Marfa with Brugette and Beltran both making it into the finals in their respective events. The 4×400 team of Brugette, Beltran, Flores, and Serrano ran their personal best time of the season in the event, bringing a lot of promise to next season’s possibilities.

Senior Kevin Pippen (shotput) was a four year Regional Qualifier for the Shorthorns and made a name for himself the last two seasons of his career with some of his best throws coming in his junior year. Also for the boys, sophomore, Bryan Torres (800m), competed well in his respective events and posted his best personal time in the event by 15 seconds.

This year, one of the state’s best 1A times in the 400m, 200m, and 100m events belonged to one of Marfa’s own who has worn the purple and white for 4 consecutive years. Senior, Arron Luna, who has two state appearances in track in his career, headed into his first preliminary event of the Regional Meet in the 100m run. After clearing the first 50m of the event, Luna pulled up with a strained hamstring and was unable to compete in the remainder of the qualifying events and therefore had to scratch in the long jump, 400m, and 200m run.

Coach Josh Kelly stated that although disappointed that Luna would not be able to his third State Meet after countless hours of early morning practices and late practices and drives to the Alpine High School track, Luna will hopefully be able to run at the collegiate level after graduating.

Marfa returns all of this season’s Regional Track qualifiers on the girls side next season with Brugette leading the way with her best times of her career this season and the remainder of the relays, and a lot of speed coming up from the junior high ranks.

Nathan Pena, Justin Ortiz, Juan Avila, Christian Ontiveros

Junior golfers tee off in Big Spriing

MARFA – The Marfa Junior High Golf Team participated in their first tournament of the season at Big Spring Monday afternoon and competed against Garden City and Sterling City in the three-team tournament.

Justice Ortiz, Christian Ontiveros, Juan Avila, and Nathan Pena represented the Shorthorns well in the 9-hole tournament.

FORT DAVIS – Called one of the most challenging races in the Southwest, the annual Hammerfest Bicycle State Races are this weekend in Fort Davis.

As many as several hundred cyclists are expected to descend on the area starting Friday and continuing through Sunday.

A series of races is planned on Saturday and Sunday and cyclists are expected on area roads throughout the event.

As has been noted by organizers as well as by local law enforcement and emergency services personnel, there will be increasing numbers of bicyclists on the roads all week.

The events on Saturday and Sunday will all start in Centennial Square across from the Jeff Davis County Courthouse.

The Hill Climb to McDonald Observatory and the top of Mt. Locke will start at 8 am, Saturday morning and go on Hwy. 17 to Hwy. 188 at the entrance to the observatory. Some of the climb is at 17 percent at a gain of 2260 feet in elevation.

A Road Race from town to Crows Nest on Hwy 166 starts Saturday afternoon at 2:30. The finish line on Hwy. 166 will be makred at the intersection to Crow’s Nest. The distance of the race is 16 miles.

On sunday, racers have two choices – the Stage 3 Scenic Loop Road Race which is 74.5 miles with a 3700 foot elevation gain and the Stage 3 Madera Canyon Race which is 49 miles and also has a 3700 foot elevation gain.

Both those races around the Hwy 166 Scenic Loop occur on Sunday starting at 8 am.

The Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce is one of the sponsors of the event. Anyone interested in volunteering at one of the checkpoints along one of the races is urged to contact Melissa Henderson, executive director of the Chamber.

Jeff Davis County Sheriff Bill Kitts and his department are urging area residents to “Please be aware and watch out for bicyclists on the roads all week and especially this weeend.”

MARFA – When the dust settled after a long dusty, windy day out on the track Tuesday in Wink, the Shorthorns saw seven girls and two boys secure a position in the 2018 Regional Track Meet at San Angelo on April 27th.

The following athletes placed in their respected events:

GIRLS

100m dash: Fernanda Fabela 2nd place

200m dash: Avery Beltran 2nd place

400m dash: Georgina Brugette 1st and Avery Beltran 2nd

3200m run: Kendra Serrano 1st

100m hurdles: Georgina Brugette 1st

4×100 Meter Relay: Kendra, Kaci, Tais, Ferni

High Jump: Kendra Serrano 1st, Georgina Brugette 2nd

4×400 Meter Relay 4:46.68 20 1) Brugette, Georgina 2) Flores, Kaci 3) Serrano, Kendra 4) Beltran, Avery

Long Jump: Avery Beltran 1st place

Shot Put: Alexia Marquez 2nd Place

BOYS

100m Dash: Arron Luna 1st Place

200m Dash: Arron Luna 1st Place

400m Dash: Arron Luna 1st Place

Triple Jump: Arron Luna 1st Place

Shot Put: Kevin Pippen 2nd Place

(Marfa ISD photo)
Kaci Flores brings Samantha Jimenez in to score in recent softball action.

MARFA – Monday night saw Marfa’s softball team drop its first district game of the season to the visiting McCamey Badgers as the team was blanked by the mercy rule after the fifth inning, 13-0.

Unable to get any offense going after the Badger’s bats went a hot 15 of 20 in the first five innings, Marfa did not make any significant defensive stops and plated zero runs in five innings.

This was the first time all season Marfa was unable to score on the diamond, but the team looks forward to regrouping after the loss to get a home win on their final district home game against the visiting Van Horn Eagles on Friday, beginning at 5:30pm.

Friday’s game will also mark senior night for Marfa’s lone senior, Rebecca Ontiveros, a four-year varsity starter for the team.

MARFA – Marfa softball has competed in the Monahans and Seminole tournaments and picked up 4 wins and 4 losses in the 8-game process.

With wins over Stanton, Pecos, Midland Christian, and Jim Ned, the Lady Shorthorns have looked more aggressive and confident in the batter’s box with a homerun already in the books by Georgina Brugette, a triple and several doubles by Kendra Serrano and Kaci Flores.

The trio currently leads Marfa’s offensive game, with Isabella Morales, Rebecca Ontiveros, Elena Hernandez, Tais Chanez, Alexia Marquez, Eliana Cataño, and Samantha Jimenez putting up runs and baserunners as well.

MARFA – The Shorthorn track team is hitting its stride early in the season with impressive finishes in various running and fielding events.

Arron Luna continues to own the 200m run, 400m event, and recently the 100m run with first place finishes at Fort Stockton and Sanderson, according to head boys coach Josh Kelly.

The senior all-around athlete enters his final season with personal best times and the leadership the team will need and currently received “Top Male Athlete” honors at the Rio Grande Relays.

Bryan Torres, Barrett Nation, Levi Hinojos, and Edwin Bacca had strong finishes in the open quarter, long jump, and 3,200m events.

Kevin Pippen threw shotput for Marfa and had a first-place repeat in Sanderson, after taking gold at the Fort Stockton meet the week before.

Pippen currently holds one of the best throws in the state in Class 1A.

For the ladies’ track team, Coach Jacqueline Hernandez has a strong group of runners in several individual and team running events, as well as field events.

In Fort Stockton, Kendra Serrano received a 3rd place overall finish in the 3,200m run and was also member to the 4x200m and mile relays.

Georgina Brugette took gold in the 400m and medaled in the 4×200 relay.

Tais Chanez, Elena Hernandez and Isabella Morales also placed in the sprint relays, and Morales also competed in the long jump and discus.

Avery Beltran, placed 1st in the 200m in Sanderson and the open quarter. The sophomore relay member was also a “Top Female Athlete” at the Rio Grande Relays.

Brielle Gonzalez, Eliana Hernandez, and Alexia Marquez are this year’s shotput and discus competitors.

Marfa’s track team will travel to Van Horn this week for the Memorial Relays on Friday.

MARFA – A golf tournament in March benefits the Marfa Shorthorn band’s trip to Disneyland this summer.

A 10am shotgun start on Saturday, March 10 at the Marfa Golf Course inaugurates the three-person scramble.

Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third places. Additional prizes will be raffled at the tournament’s end.

Breakfast burritos and hamburgers will be sold throughout the day.

All proceeds benefit the band’s Disneyland Parade in Anaheim, California this summer.

Donation is $125 per team.

Come and enjoy a great day of golf, food, music, and fun.

Info: David Gomez, 432-295-3721

MARFA – With the completion of boys and girls basketball playoffs, the district honors have been released, and the Shorthorns represented their school and district in several areas.

Boys honors include Arron Luna and Marcelo Funke on the first team, with second team members Bryan Torres and Jared Fuentes. Honorable mention honors go to John Aguero, Martin Quinonez, and Edwin Baca.

Girls basketball honors included Kendra Serrano as district Most Valuable Player, Georgina Brugette, first team, Kaci Flores, second team, and honorable mention members Isabella Morales, Rebecca Ontiveros, Lexi Marquez, Tais Chanez, and Elena Hernandez.

The 2018 Marfa Shorthorn golf team

MARFA – The Shorthorn’s golf team has competed in four tournaments in the early season. Lajitas, Garden City, Marfa, and they recently placed third in the Alpine Boys Golf Tournament.

Marfa’s top golfer in their third-place finish was John Aguero, followed by teammates Huck Roch, Jared Fuentez, Ruben Watts, Catching Marginot, and Zachary Gomez.

The team has consistently improved each week and Coach David Gomez states that although young, the team has shown potential to make a hard push into the district tournament and possibly into the regional tournament.

The girls’ golf team, consisting of Samantha Jimenez, Avery Beltran, and Eliana Hernandez, will be in action next Monday in Alpine for a 9am tee time.