2013-2014 Athletic Banquet

2013-2014 Athletic Banquet (4-29-14)

The Muleshoe Athletic Boosters hosted the 2013-2014 Muleshoe High School athletes, coaches, fans and friends Tuesday evening in the Commons Area of the High School. After the meal was served and a highlight film of the various sports was shown the crowd moved to the Kerry Moore Auditorium for the introductions and presentation of awards. 

Father Sergio Leal led the invocation prior to the meal and the benediction at the end of the festivities. Sam Whalin acted as the master of ceremonies and introduced the Muleshoe Board of Trustees that were in attendance. Carol Precure, Sergio Leal and Curtis Preston were introduced. 

Other introductions included Superintendent, Dr. Gene Sheets, Assistant Superintendent, Dr. RL Richards, High School Principal, Steve Myatt and Assistant Principal, Erin White. Delton Wilhite, Sports Writer, for the Muleshoe Journal,  as well has Lonnie Wilhite, Rene Torres, Frank Wuerflein and Bryan Morris for the support they give through Muleshoe Sports Network. 

Gil, Magann and Jack Reynolds along with Bob Graves and the late Ronnie Jones for their coverage at Channel 6 cable television. 

Frank Wuerflein for all the beautiful awards he has donated and for being Delton’s right-hand man on Muleshoe Sports Network. Jody Wood produced the programs for tonight’s event and Erin White for taking and making the senior pictures displayed around the cafeteria. 

The coaches spouses were ask to stand and received an ovation for the sacrifices they make to allow the coaches to do their jobs. A huge thank you was extended to the Mighty M Band, cheerleaders, fans and parents for all the support they had extended to the teams. 

The Senior Spotlight provided by Muleshoe Athletic Trainer, Josh Woolbright. The Legends Award was present by Muleshoe Athletic Director David Wood. The award is given to a special person or group of people that give their ultimate support to Muleshoe Athletics. 

This was a special and unique individual that was lost and was an icon in Muleshoe Sports for many years. In the most recent years he and Bob Graves did the play-by-play of Mule football on Saturday mornings. Gil Lamb put together a tribute to Jones. 

The seniors of 2014 thought it was only fitting to honor Ronnie Jones as the year’s Legend’s Award recipient. Accepting for Jones was Bob Graves. 

The student athletic trainers were the first group to the stage and they joined Coach Josh Woolbright. 

“The Muleshoe Sports Medicine Program has had an outstanding year,” said Woolbright. “They have strived to keep our athletes in the game and playing a high level. I want to thank the Student Trainers for everything they accomplished. They have recorded 4000 treatments and/or rehabilitations this year.” 

Woolbright honored two of the trainers for their untiring efforts. The Most Improved Student Athletic Trainer of the Year Award went to Jaki Huerta. The second award was the Student Athletic Trainer of the Year. Alex Baca was presented the award and has dedicated herself to the program for three years. 

The cheerleaders were the next group invited to the stage. They had a great year and their hard work and dedication to the support of the Lady Mules and Mules was recognized. The four Varsity cheerleaders were Lilana Vasquez, Bailey Bales, Hadlea Geissler and Adrianne Precure. 

Juniors on the squad were Daniela Diaz, Michelle Chavez, Kayla Preston and Ashton Hunt. 

Coach David Wood then invited the Mule football team to the stage while the freshman and JV teams were ask to stand and be recognized by those in attendance. 

“The Mule varsity was a young squad and many adjustments had to be made in the non-district portion of the season,” said Wood. “The team made the playoffs and gained valuable experience for the seasons to come.” 

Austin Ross was the Wall of Fame inductee for receiving All-State recognition on all of the All-State teams. He was also first team All District two consecutive years. Wood present the team captains, Jaxon Lee, Danny Campos, Braden Bessire, Matt Barron and Ross miniature helmets. 

The Most Improved Award went to Danny Campos. The Defensive Player of the Year was presented to Chamel Regalado. The Offensive Player of the Year went to Dustin Smith. The Most Outstanding Player of the Year was Austin Ross. The Football MVP-Fighting Heart Award was presented to Matt Barron. 

The Cross Country Lady Mules and Mules were next on the stage to join their coach, Jay Gorman. 

“Both teams competed at the Region I Meet,” said Gorman. “The Lady Mules won their second consecutive District Championship and finished ninth out of 22 team in the regional competition.” 

“The Mules made tremendous strides and were the district runners-up. They placed 13th at the regional meet and defeated the district champions at the Region I Meet.” 

Adrienne Precure was named as the girls MVP and Noah Del Toro was presented the Boys MVP.  

Coach Gorman remained on the stage and called for the Lady Mule varsity basketball team to join him. The JV and JV 2 Lady Mules were also recognized. 

“We were young this year but decided to not accept youth as an excuse but to use it as motivation,” said Jay. “The seniors improved this year and were the team leaders. The three freshmen grew up in front of our eyes. The two juniors are ready to assume the leadership roll next season.”

“Adrienne Precure was selected as First Team All-District and McKenna Dunham and Sadie Sudduth were selected as Honorable Mention All-District.”

The Most Improved Award went to Daniela Diaz. The Free Throw Champion was Sadie Sudduth and the Defensive MVP Award was given to DonAnn Rempe. The Offensive MVP Award went to Adrienne Precure. The Team MVP went to both McKenna Dunham and Adrienne Precure. 

Coach Clay White called the Mule Basketball team to the front and recognized the efforts of the JV Mules and Freshmen Mule teams. 

“We got off to a hot start but suffered an injury to Eli Leal,” said White. “The team rallied and gelled at a critical time to make the playoffs. The Mules were defeated in the Bi-District round by a highly rated team from Canadian but finished the season with a record of 18-13.”

The Defensive MVP Award went to Matt Barron. The Team MVP/Fighting Heart Award was presented to Eli Leal.   

Powerlifting coach Kirk Byrd invited the 2014 power lifters to the stage. Coach Byrd thanked Coach Albert Lopez and Coach William Smith for their help this year during the Powerlifting season. 

“This year’s team worked extremely hard to get stronger,” said Coach Byrd. “They spent countless hours in the weight room before and after school. For the first time in a while, the Muleshoe Powerlifting team featured three ladies. These three competed well all year and each medaled in at least one meet. Those competing were Krystin Gonzales, Aimee Rosas and Katelyn Gable.”

“The young men on the stage started as freshmen and have worked hard to get stronger. This year many of them placed and medaled in many meets. Their time and effort spent in the weight room has paid off.”

Those that qualified for the regional meet were Gonzales, Rosas, Gable and David Rodriguez. Aimee Rosas placed fifth in the region and received a medal. 

The Girl’s Powerlifting MVP was presented to Aimee Rosas. The Boy’s Powerlifting MVP was given to David Rodriguez.

Muleshoe Tennis team coach Jody Wood was not able to attend the banquet so Coach Wes Wood stood in for her. 

Coach J. Wood sent a special thanks to Coaches David Wood, Josh Woolbright, Jalissa King, John Gibson, Nathan Young, Tyler Wood, Denisse Ramirez, Imelda Salcido and Alee Sanchez for all their help. She also thanked the maintained crew for keeping the tennis courts in great shape. 

The JV tennis team was asked to stand and be recognized. They played in five tournaments and brought home first plays in boy’s singles, fixed in mixed doubles, second in girl’s doubles and fourth in boy’s singles. 

The Varsity also competed in five tournaments. At the District 2-2A Tournament Eli and Jesse Leal placed fourth in Boy’s Doubles. Aaryn Ross and Denisse Ramirez placed fourth in Mixed Doubles. Matt Barron and Nacho Elizalde Placed second and qualified for the Region I Tournament in Odessa.

Matt (Barron) and Nacho (Elizalde) represented our district well as they won their first round of matches at regional. They both had played singles and doubles this year and they combined for 29 wins and six losses. 

The 2014 Tennis MVP Award went to Matt Barron and Nacho Elizalde. 

The Muleshoe golf team was invited to the stage. Muleshoe golf coach Carey Sudduth was not in attendance as he and Lariat Adams were in Austin to compete in the State Class AA Golf Tournament. 

“The Mules golf team competed hard all year,” said Coach Sudduth. “They finished second in one tournament and earned several individual medals. By the District tournament they were ready to play their way to the regional tournament.”

“It was a tough two days and the competition was close. The Mules finished fourth in the team race. Eli Leal put two good rounds together and finished third in the individual standings to earn a trip to the Regional Tournament.”

“Conner Harrison fought off everyone on the last nine holes of a close match to win the Individual Medalist gold medal by one shot. Harrison and Leal competed at the Region I Tournament in Odessa and I was very proud of them.”

“Eli (Leal) has had a great career as a very versatile Mule. We will miss him. Conner (Harrison) will work hard and be back to defend his title next year with bigger expectations.”

“The Lady Mules had a great year and won three tournaments and finished second in another. These ladies won the District 2-AA Championship by 47 strokes. They competed at the Region I Tournament and really grew as players,” continued Sudduth. 

“They finished seventh out of 16 teams and plays are to build on that and move up next year. Lariat Adams won the Individual District Gold Medal and finished as the Individual Silver Medalist at the Region I Tournament to earn a trip to Austin.”

The Boys Golf Award was presented to Conner Harrison and the Girls Golf Award went to Lariat Adams. 

Coach Benjie Jay called the Lady Mule track team to the stage. The 2014 Lady Mules won the team championship trophy at their own Mule Relays as well as the Abernathy Relays. They also received the Runner-up District Championship Trophy at the District I Meet. 

Eleven Lady Mules qualified for the Area Track Meet that was held in Panhandle by placing in the top four in the district meet. Muleshoe was represented in 10 of the 11 running events and two field events. 

Five of the Lady Mules qualified for the Region I Track Meet and competed in nine events. None qualified for the Texas State Meet this season. 

“The girls and I would like to thank the other track coaches that helped them this season,” Coach Jay said. “Kirk Byrd helped with the distance runners and triple jump, Wes Wood worked with the long jumpers, William Smith had the throwers and David Wood worked with the high jumpers. We want to include Josh Woolbright for keeping us all competing. We also want to the parents, other family members, community members and the Athletic Booster Club for their encouragement and support.”

Coach Jay present the Newcomer of the Year award to Mireya Ruvalcaba. The Workhorse Award went to Jasmine Garza. The Most Improved Award was given to Miranda Acevedo. Katelyn Gable received the Most Outstanding Award. 

The Most Valuable 2014 Track Athlete was Adrienne Precure. 

The Varsity Mule Track team was on the stage next with their coach Kirk Byrd. The JV Mule Track team was asked to stand. They finished second at the District Meet and the highlight of the meet was winning the 4x400-meter relay and running their best time of the season.

“This year the varsity boys competed well in a very tough district,” Coach Byrd said. “The varsity boys finished fourth in the district meet. Each athlete competed hard and contributed in their own way to help the team. The highlight of the day was winning the 4x400-meter relay and running our best time of the year.”

Eight Mules qualified for the Area Meet in nine events and four Mules went to the Region I Meet in five events. Eli Leal placed eighth in the high jump and Jesus Manzanares ran the 800-meter run in two minutes and five second to finish fifth. 

Austin Ross placed fourth in the 400-meter run with a 50.01 and he ran a 21.91 in the 200-meter dash to place third. He advanced to the Texas State Track Meet as the wild card and had the fourth fastest time in the state. 

Eli Leal received the Best in Field Events Award. The Most Improved Runner Award was presented to Mate Rosas. Jesus Manzanares earned the Workhorse Award and the Track MVP Award went to Austin Ross. 

The Lady Mule Softball Team was brought to the stage but no awards were given as they were still competing in the Texas State Softball Playoffs. Coach Erin White introduced her three seniors, Amber Lopez, Diamond Lopez and Marissa Cortez. 

“We have had a good year,” Coach Erin White said. “We began the season by winning the Panhandle Showdown in Amarillo and beat several class 4A schools. The team was undefeated in district with a 9-0 record and an overall record of 15-9.”

“The girls out scored their district opponents 122-31 and blasted 14 homeruns. The Lady Mules defeated the Dimmitt Bobbies 28-1 in five innings to win the Bi-District Gold Glove.”

The Mule baseball team was invited to the stage and their coach, Wes Boatmun, talked a little about a good problem he and assistant coach, David Sturdivant, had when the season started. Forty two Mules lined up to check out workout equipment. 

Soon a Black JV team as well as a White JV team was formed to keep the players interested and competing. Thirty four of the forty two made it through the season and are expected to return to the diamond next season. 

“After a six-year layoff and after finishing second in the district the Mules return to the Texas high School Baseball Playoffs,” Coach Boatmun said. “We are becoming a better baseball team and we plan on continuing that trend toward becoming the best version of ourselves.”

The JV teams finished with a combined record of 9-7-1 and the varsity was 14-8 and scheduled to play the Boys Ranch Rough Riders in Bi-District. Post-season honors were withheld until the playoffs were over. 

“I do wish to recognize our two seniors,” Boatmun continued. Matt Barron and Nacho Elizalde, both of whom have shown tremendous heart and resilience this year as Muleshoe athletes. Both will be sorely missed.”

“Coach Sturdivant and I wish to thank our players for their commitment and hard work, our fellow coaches for their help, consideration and sharing, our players’ families for their continued encouragement and our administration for their direction.”

“And lest we should live to regret it, we would like to thank our wives, Jessica and Erin, for putting up with our frustrations, for listening to our worries, for encouraging and strengthening our hearts and shortly, for allowing us to do what it is that we love as much as anything in the world.”

That concluded the 2013-2014 Athletic Banquet and Awards Presentation. Sergio Leal had a few closing words and then lead the dismissal prayer.