A Big Year for the Big 7

The 2024-25 sports season has officially wrapped up and Progress Times is proud to reflect on the standout moments that defined the year for our athletes. Over the next two months, we’ll be celebrating 30 of the top sports highlights in no order* from Mission CISD, Sharyland ISD, and La Joya ISD–Ten from each school district. From major team victories and standout performances to state tournament appearances and individual accolades, these posts are our way of recognizing the hard work, dedication, and success of the Big 7 Sports community.

MCISD

Mission Eagles’ Christopher Kirk 5A Region IV Champion in the long jump, 5A state bronze medalist in the long jump

Christopher Kirk posing with his bronze medal at the UIL State Championship Track Meet for his performance in the 5A boys long jump final. Photo courtesy Coach Mike Fernandez.

Christopher Kirk dominated competition this year. The multi-sport athlete, who earned three varsity letters during his tenure as an Eagle, wasn’t just one of the Valley’s best; he was one of the top student-athletes in the state of Texas. On the gridiron, Kirk caught 45 passes for 842 yards and 10 touchdowns, which helped fuel an Eagles playoff run. However, it was on the track where Kirk truly cemented his legacy. Kirk jumped a monstrous 45’ 4” in the triple jump to start his track season and ended it as one of the most decorated jumpers in recent RGV memory. Kirk won 26 medals this year, culminating with a 5A Region Region IV Championship and a 5A UIL State Bronze Medal, where he set the Mission High School long jump record with jumps of 23’ ¼” and 23’ 4 ½”, respectively. 

Mission Veterans Patriots’ Diana Lerma inducted into the RGV Sports Hall of Fame and Latino Hall of Fame 

Diana Lerma’s illustrious career as head coach of the Mission Veterans Memorial High School volleyball team includes over 800 career wins, 18 district championships, 17 Bi-District championships, 11 Regional championships, and four Sweet Sixteen appearances. Lerma has coached a litany of all-district and all-state performers, as well as several Division I athletes. As an athlete, Lerma was an All-Southland Conference performer in volleyball at Southwest Texas State, now Texas State University, where she held the ace record for a decade. Due to her significant contributions to the sport of volleyball, through her outstanding performances as an athlete and the development of student athletes, Lerma was recently inducted into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame and the Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame. This season, Lerma will complete her 24th season as head volleyball coach of the Lady Patriots. 

Mission Veterans Patriots’ Aiden Uribe wins second consecutive district defensive MVP award; top five in tackles in the state of Texas 

Aiden Uribe (23) photographed by Mario Magallon.

Mission Vet’s Aiden Uribe was one of the state’s top-ranked defenders for the second consecutive year. As the leader of the Patriots’ Blue Dawgz defense, Uribe recorded an astonishing 389 tackles and 44 tackles for loss during his career. This season was one of his best. The senior linebacker recorded 189 total tackles, 61 of which were solo, 26 tackles for loss, three sacks, and seven forced turnovers. Uribe ranked second in total tackles in the state of Texas and top 25 in the nation. His stellar play also spearheaded a defense that powered the Patriots to their 12th consecutive postseason berth. Because of this, Uribe was awarded District 15-5A’s defensive MVP award for the second year in a row. 

Mission Eagles’ QB Diego Salinas Offensive MVP District 16-5A 

Diego Salinas’ magnificent senior campaign established the Eagles’ quarterback as one of their all-time greats. Salinas passed for 3,155 yards and accounted for 30 total touchdowns. For his career, Salinas threw for 6,817 total scrimmage yards and accounted for 66 touchdowns. Thanks to his impressive efforts under center, the Eagles returned to the UIL State football playoffs for the first time in two years, where they lost a nail-biter to the traditional powerhouse of Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial. Because of his brilliant play, Salinas was awarded District 16-5A’s Offensive MVP. 

Mission Veterans Patriots District MVP Mady Perez leads Lady Patriots to 11th district championship in 12 years

Although only a freshman, Mady Perez played volleyball this year like a seasoned vet. Perez registered 504 kills, 422 digs, 328 serves received, and 45 aces. Not only was Perez the best player on an already stacked Lady Patriots squad, but she was also the best volleyball-playing freshman in the entire Valley. Thanks to her efforts, the Lady Patriots finished 16-0 in district play, dropping only a single set in the process. The title they secured, as a result, was the 11th district championship in 12 years for the Lady Patriots, reestablishing their dominance over 30-5A after losing the title to the Palmview Lady Lobos the previous year. Perez stood out as the linchpin behind the Lady Patriots’ success and won District MVP; the first of what figures to be many individual accolades to come. 

Mission CISDs Tom Lee, Joseph “Jody” Cantu named as MCISD AD and Mission Eagles’ head football coach, respectively 

Mission CISD changed directions in its athletics department this year with two marquee hires meant to reinforce the district’s proud winning tradition and reignite the same at its flagship high school. In June, the Mission CISD school board selected Mission High School Alumnus Tom Lee as its new athletic director following the retirement of Leticia “Letty” Ibarra. After a successful tenure as head football coach of the Sharyland Pioneer Diamondbacks and then as SISD assistant athletic director, Lee left Sharyland ISD and headed back home to Mission. Six months later, Lee and the MCISD School board made a splash hire when they selected Joseph “Jody” Cantu as the next head coach of the Mission High Eagles following the departure of Daniel “Danny” Longoria in December. The two new faces will look to revitalize the Eagle’s nascent football program in the years to come. 

Mission Veterans Patriots baseball makes Area appearance, Chris Ramos named Offensive Player of the Year

The Patriots’ baseball team was more than impressive this season. They finished the season in second place in the district with a 13-3 record, scoring 167 runs and giving up 94 runs to their opponents. In the first round of the playoffs, the Patriots won their best-of-three series against Gregory Portland, earning themselves a Bi-District title and advancing them to the Area round. Though their postseason run came to an end in the Area round, it was the first time in nearly a decade that they had been in that position. The Patriots proved why they’re not a team to count out as they have built a solid foundation for future success. Key players such as Jahziel Trevino (22 runs, 41 hits, 29 RBIs, .466 AVG, 51 putouts, seven wins, 39 strikeouts, 1.97 ERA), Gabriel Cantu (26 runs, 27 hits, 11 RBIs, .338 AVG, 65 putouts, eight wins, 69 strikeouts, 1.80 ERA), Chris Ramos (16 runs, 32 hits, 27 RBIs, .386 AVG, 179 putouts), and Jeremiah Vela (18 runs, 28 hits, 17 RBIs, three HRs, .368, 51 putouts) contributed heavily to the success of the team. Most notably, Ramos earned the District 30-5A Offensive Player of the Year award.

Mission Lady Eagles’ softball shines in new district, Breanna Longoria named Offensive MVP

Last year, the Mission Eagles were reclassified from 6A to 5A, joining District 30. Even so, the Eagles were still having to face some stiff competition in the Palmview Lobos, Rio Grande City Rattlers, Veterans Memorial Patriots, and the Nixon Mustangs. Despite that, the Eagles emerged as a top team, finishing in second place with a 12-4 record in the district and 14-11 overall. They scored 218 runs, a program high, and only allowed 101 runs to their opponents. Despite having a number of elite players, nobody shined brighter than Breanna Longoria, who earned the District’s Offensive MVP award. Longoria accounted for 30 runs, 36 hits, 27 RBIs, four home runs, .486 AVG, 36 putouts on a .954 fielding percentage. The future is bright for this freshman who looks to continue to dominate in her sophomore year. 

Mission Eagles’ Leon Villarreal 1000 career points

In his junior season on the basketball court, Leon Villarreal passed the 1000 career point milestone. In Villarreal’s sophomore season, he averaged 11 points per game and was the second leading scorer on his team. This season, he jumped his average up to 17 points per game, leading his team, and earning a place in the rich history of Mission CISD athletics. Not only did his points improve, but his rebound jumped from five to seven, assists from two to three, steals from one to two, from zero to one block, and his field goal percentage increased from 38 to 49 percent. 

Mission Eagles’ volleyball success, Kayla Alaniz 1000 kills, Vanessa Espinoza 1000 digs, Joslyn Rodriguez 1000 assists

The Mission Eagles’ volleyball team was dominant this season, finishing in second place in a very competitive district. In addition, their players earned elite career milestones. The Eagles finished 14-2 in district play and 27-8 overall. This season, Kayla Alaniz surpassed 1000 kills, Vanessa Espinoza surpassed 1000 digs, and Joslyn Rodriguez surpassed 1000 assists. Alaniz and Espinoza also earned firstst Team All-District Honors while Rodriguez earned Setter of the Year. The trio of seniors played a huge role in the success of the Eagles and have paved a way for the future Lady Eagles. 

SISD

Pioneer Diamondbacks’ Derek Thompson Regional champion and State silver medalist in shot put 

Derek Thompson posing with his silver medal at the UIL State Championship Track Meet after his performance in the 5A boys shotput final. Photo courtesy SISD Media department.

Derek Thompson’s 24-25 track season was one of the best in Sharyland Pioneer history. Thompson demolished his competition every time he stepped into the ring, effectively leaving no doubt about who the Valley’s best thrower was. Thompson won the UIL 5A Region IV championship in the shot put with a mammoth 64’4 throw. He followed up that performance with a silver medal throw in the discus of 179’. At the UIL 5A State Championship meet, Thompson won silver in the shot put with a throw of 62’ 10”. Not only did Thompson put his name on the national radar, but he also built upon his already stellar career by moving up the RGV leaderboards in shot put and discus, where he ranks 5th all-time in both events. Next year, he will look to further cement his legacy with more hardware and records.

Pioneer Diamondbacks’ Kassandra Garcia scores 1,200 points, led state of Texas in total assists, DBacks back-to-back District Champs, Chatman OMVP, Fleischmann DMVP, Nicole Sandoval Coach of the Year

Kassandra Garcia (30) photographed by Joe Vela.

Pioneer point guard Kassandra Garcia and the Lady Diamondbacks had another banner year. They won 27 games and ran away with the District 31-5A championship, their second consecutive. Garcia’s leadership and on-court excellence were driving forces behind the campaign. Garcia averaged 11 points, 8 assists, four rebounds, and five steals per contest for the Area finalists. On December 19, 2024, Garcia immortalized herself after recording her 1,200th career point, alongside her 400-plus assists, 300-plus rebounds, and 300-plus steals, making her not just one of the most prolific point guards in Texas but in the entire nation. Her play, along with Offensive MVP Ebonie Chatman, Defensive MVP Anika Fleischmann, and District 31-5A Coach of the Year Nicole Sandoval led the Diamondbacks to their second consecutive district championship. 

Sharyland Rattlers’ quarterback Calvin Harris wins District 15-5A Offensive MVP

Calvin Harris’ prolific 24-25 football season was a model of consistency within a tumultuous Rattlers’ season. Despite their 5-6 record, Harris won the district Offensive MVP award after throwing for 2,947 yards on a 65% completion percentage, rushing for 720 yards, while averaging 5 yards per carry, and scoring an astonishing 42 total touchdowns. His marvelous season led the way for the Rattlers, who made the playoffs after injuries and miscues had kept them out of the playoffs the previous season. Harris will return next year for his senior season as one of the best and most accomplished football players in the Valley. 

Sharyland Rattlers’ wrestling team wins UIL 5A Region IV Championship, boast two repeat state medalists, Sam Magnum wins 5A Region IV Coach of the Year

Photos by Rachel Baker

The Sharyland Rattlers’ 24-25 season was a standard-setting one. The Rattlers won nearly every team tournament they entered and finished as the best wrestling team in the Valley and the Region. Six Rattlers qualified for the state championship meet, where two, Nicholas Torres and Aiden Baker, repeated as state medalists. More impressive than their success was the glory of their team. The Rattlers convincingly defeated traditional powers, such as Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial, to win the program’s first Regional Championship, making them the first Valley boys’ wrestling team to accomplish the feat. Under the tutelage of Head Coach Sam Mangum, the Rattlers don’t appear to be going anywhere. Neither does Mangum, the Region IV 5A Boys Wrestling Coach of The Year. 

Sharyland Rattlers’ Kenisha Martinez District 31-5A MVP; Rattlers’ volleyball three-peat District Champions 

Along with co-captain Kassandra De La Garza, Kenisha Martinez guided the Lady Rattlers with ferocity and determination. The senior hitter registered 565 kills on a 41% kill rate, scored 235 points off serves, and posted 503 defensive digs, the highest total of her career. Martinez’s exploits were the catalyst behind the Rattlers’ impressive 17 match winning streak and their third consecutive district championship. Martinez was awarded District 31-5A’s Most Valuable Player Award for her efforts, solidifying her spot as one of the best volleyball players in Sharyland ISD and RGV history. 

Sharyland Rattlers’ Fabrizio Salinas District MVP, Rattlers’ baseball Regional Semi-finals appearance 

Fabrizio Salinas’ command of the diamond was unparalleled this year. The Rattlers’ flame-throwing ace won eight games this year on a miniscule .091 ERA. Salinas threw 86 strikeouts while only surrendering eight runs against 256 batters faced. His performance at the plate was just as impressive. Salinas batted .478 with 18 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .504. In the playoffs, Salinas pitched 13 innings, only allowing 8 hits and two earned runs while striking out 10. He was the centerpiece of a stacked Area finalist Rattlers’ squad that finished (25-9-2, 13-4) only one win away from a district championship. 

Pioneer Diamondbacks’ cheer earned bronze medal in 5A UIL State competition

In January, Coach Briseno, Assistant Coach Torres, and the Pioneer Diamondbacks’ Cheer Team competed in the Texas State UIL Competition where they brought home the third place title. The Diamondbacks bringing home a state medal is a testament to the hard work and dedication that goes into their sport. 

Pioneer Diamondbacks’ water polo earns District Championship, Leonel Rodriguez earns District MVP, Arnold Perez earns District Coach of the Year

The Pioneer Diamondbacks boys’ water polo team finished with a 10-0 record in District 31-6A, bringing home another district title, and being home to the district MVP Leonel Rodriguez and the Coach of the Year Arnold Perez. This season, the Diamondbacks scored 178 goals and only allowed 43 to their opponents, setting themselves apart from the rest of the teams in the district, and many in the Rio Grande Valley. 

Pioneer Diamondbacks’ baseball Regional Semi-finals appearance, Diego Dominguez Defensive Player of the Year, Ruben Lopez Utility Player of the Year

The Pioneer Diamondbacks’ baseball team went on a historic run this postseason, earning themselves championships and accolades all across the board. The Diamondbacks finished in third place in the district with a 12-4 record and 21-14 overall. They scored 183 runs and allowed 161 runs to their opponents. In the postseason, they claimed a Bi-District championship against Harlingen South, an Area championship against Corpus Christi Ray, and were a hair away from earning a Regional Semi Final title. The Diamondbacks’ Diego Dominguez (DPOY) and Ruben Lopez (UTOY) earned district honors. Dominguez earned 67 putouts, four assists, five double plays, with a .888 fielding percentage. The all-around Lopez earned 21 hits, 18 RBIs batting a .300, 14 putouts, four double plays on .960 field %, six pitching wins, 1.52 ERA, and 57 strikeouts. 

Sharyland Rattlers’ Individual Tennis State appearance

The 2025 UIL 5A State Tennis Tournament marked a historic milestone for the Sharyland Rattlers, as they made their first-ever appearance at the state level following a dominant run through the postseason. Earlier in the school year, the team tennis squad made history by becoming the first in school history to win the Region 4 championship, securing their state berth after an undefeated campaign in District 31-5A. Their playoff journey included a 15-0 shutout of Brownsville Pace for the Bi-District title, a 10-0 win over Corpus Christi Ray for the Area title, a 10-2 victory over Harlingen South in the Regional Quarterfinals, and a 10-5 win over Boerne in the Regional Semifinals. At the state tournament, the Rattlers were represented by eight players: seniors Koen Aggarao and Eduardo Gonzalez, juniors Diego Sanchez, Grace Shahin, and Shyrabelle Buquel, and sophomores Andres Garcia, Sofia Cantu, and Selah Geddes. Their hard work paid off as the Rattlers brought home two bronze medals in girls’ doubles and boys’ doubles, and a silver medal in mixed doubles, making this not only a historic showing but also a defining moment for the Rattlers’ tennis legacy.

LJISD

Palmview Lobos’ baseball makes Regional Finals, Mateo Garcia District MVP, Manuel Garcia Coach of the Year

The Palmview Lobos’ baseball team capped off yet another historic season. The Lobos finished the district season in first place with an undefeated, 16-0 record securing their fourth consecutive district championship and an overall 26-10 record. Come playoff time, they were ready for the challenge. After beating the Flour Bluff Hornets in the Bi-District round, they faced off against the Rowe Warriors in the Area round where they would once again come out on top. Advancing to the Regional Semi-Finals, the Lobos took on the task of playing against the New Braunfels Unicorns, where they would win two games to one and advance to the Regional Finals for the second time in three years. The Lobos’ historic season came to an end there, but their commitment to excellence was not overshadowed. Senior Mateo Garcia earned himself the District 30-5A MVP award while head coach Manuel Ricky Garcia was named the District 30-5A Coach of the Year. 

Juarez-Lincoln boys’ soccer finish as Regional Finalists 

The Juarez-Lincoln Huskies streak of consecutive district championships ended this year at seven. While the regular season may not have been what Huskies fans have grown accustomed to, their postseason success revitalized the program, inspiring hope that future success is forthcoming. In the playoffs against Corpus Christi Carroll, Brownsville Porter, and Cedar Park, the Huskies outscored their opponents by a margin of 8-2. In the regional final against Liberty Hill, the Huskies’ increased physicality and grit were evident. In years past, physicality had been their Achilles heel. The Huskies battled the Panthers but eventually came up short, falling by a final score of 1-0, one game away from returning to the state tournament. Prolific head coach Victor Ramos will return to lead the Huskies next year as they fight for a return to the state tournament for the first time since 2018.

Palmview Lobos’ Manuel Garcia records 300th win

When Manuel Garcia took over as Palmview High School’s head baseball coach 17 years ago, he did so with the intention of building a winner. Garcia committed to mastering the game and developing his program through three core values: Belief, Trust, and Faith. Garcia hasn’t looked back since. The process may have been a slow burn, but over the past four years, the Palmview Lobos have consistently been one of the top baseball teams in south Texas. Earlier this year, in their season opener, Garcia registered his 300th career win after the Lobos defeated Laredo Cigarroa 14-0. The win put Garcia and the Palmview baseball program in rarified air, proving that family values and a commitment to excellence in one’s craft are the only ingredients necessary for success. 

Palmview Lobos’ Jessica Arevalo earns District MVP, Daniel Malacara Coach of the Year

The district championship winning Palmview Lady Lobos were home to not only the District 30-5A MVP, but also the Coach of the Year. Jessica Arevalo and the Lobos were dominant all season, finishing with a 15-1 district record, 18-6 overall, and scoring 54 goals, many courtesy of Arevalo herself. Arevalo separated herself amongst the top talent in the district in only her sophomore year, scoring a total of 19 goals, 17 of them being in district, and three of them being game winners. Arevalo also played every single minute for this Lobos’ team, exemplifying the terms “Most Valuable Player.” Furthermore, the Lobos made history this season by earning themselves a district championship, the first one in the program’s history. Since head coach Daniel Malacara took over the program, the Lobos have been elite. This season furthered that statement as Malacara earned himself the honor of being the District 30-5A Coach of the Year. 

Palmview Lady Lobos District Champions, first time Bi-District Champions, Nicole Flores MVP 

Last year, the Palmview Lady Lobos basketball team made history by bringing home a district championship for the first time in the program’s history. This year, they did it again by bringing home the district title for the second time and a Bi-District title for the first time. The Lobos finished with an overall 27-8 record and a district record of 15-1. They went on to face the CC Veterans Memorial Eagles in the Bi-District round, where they would win and advance to the Area round. Though their journey in the playoffs ended, they have slowly built a foundation for future success by continuing to improve. Senior Nicole Flores earned herself the District 30-5A MVP award this season with game averages of 19 points, four rebounds, two assists, two steals on 48% shooting. Her leadership to this team was unmatched, cementing herself amongst the great athletes to step foot in Palmview High School. 

La Joya Coyotes’ basketball Daniel Trevino District MVP, First Team Defense 

The La Joya Coyotes basketball team finished with a district record of 7-3 and an overall record of 15-21. During his senior campaign, the Coyotes’ Daniel Trevino averaged 15 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals, on 35% shooting. This season’s performance earned himself a District 31-6A MVP award as well as First Team All Defense Honors. Every season that he has played, since his freshman year, Trevino has made improvements to his game, besting his career averages and ultimately leading up to his season where he earned the title of the Most Valuable Player. 

Juarez-Lincoln Huskies’ softball makes massive leap forward

This story began last season when the Huskies earned their very first district win under head coach Javier Diaz. Not only did they earn their first win, but they earned their second, and third. Three wins was only the beginning for this program. This season, instead of taking a step back, they took a massive leap forward. The Huskies went from winning zero games two years ago, two three games last season, to seven games this season. The Huskies finished with seven district wins and nine losses. Overall, the Huskies went 12-10, boasting a season over .500. Additionally, they earned district honors with Natalie Gonzalez and Sarai Gomez, who were First Team All-District Pitcher and Shortstop respectively. The future is bright for the Huskies, who nearly earned themselves a spot in the playoffs this season. 

Juarez-Lincoln Huskies girls’ soccer America Leal Offensive MVP, Stacy Jimenez Defensive MVP

Once again, the Juarez-Lincoln Girls soccer program continues to be amongst the very best in the Rio Grande Valley. This season they finished in second place in District 30-5A with a 13-3 record, scoring 44 goals and giving up 15 goals to their opponents, the lowest in the district. Their success was driven by standout performances from key players, including senior forward America Leal, who was named the District’s Offensive MVP after scoring more than 20 goals and showcasing her skill and consistency in front of the net. On the defensive end, freshman standout Stacy Jimenez made an immediate impact, earning the Defensive MVP award for her commanding presence and composure on the back line. The future looks bright for Juarez-Lincoln as they continue to develop young talent and maintain their competitive edge.

Juarez-Lincoln Huskies’ Angel Araya scores first touchdown

Juarez-Lincoln took the opportunity to showcase a special player, senior Angel Araya. Wearing his favorite number, #44, Araya stepped into the backfield with one goal, one dream: scoring his first ever touchdown. He took the handoff, powered through the defensive line, and sped past the secondary for a 79-yard touchdown. With support from the administrations of Juarez-Lincoln High School, Palmview High School, and the LJISD Athletic Department, Angel Araya’s dream became reality. 

La Joya Coyotes’ wrestlers Jaqueline Garcia and Laura Garcia make State

The La Joya Lady Coyotes have emerged as one of the premier wrestling teams in the Valley over the past three years. Led by head coach Chris Hernandez, the team has shown steady improvement each season, culminating in an impressive third-place finish at the 16-6A district championship. The Lady Coyotes demonstrated just how far the program has come. Seven wrestlers earned automatic bids to the Regional Tournament, and from that talented group, two standout athletes secured their place at the State Tournament: Jaqueline Garcia, who placed second in the 185-pound weight class, and Laura Gracia, who finished fourth in the 100-pound weight class. Their achievements mark a significant milestone for the Lady Coyotes’ program and reflect the hard work and dedication of both the athletes and their coach.

*This is not a ranking.