VYPE San Marcos CISD October 2022

S A N M A R C O S H I G H S C H O O L S P O R T S

S M C I S D . N E T

INAUGURAL EDITION

RATTLER UP! S A N M A R C O S A T H L E T I C S R E A D Y T O S T R I K E I N 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 S E A S O N S R

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pregame

VYPE social Twitter: @vypeatx and @vypesatx Facebook: facebook.com/vypetexas Instagram: @vype_atx and @vypesatx

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STAFF PUBLISHER VYPE MEDIA, LLC

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Shane Hildreth CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER Matt Malatesta CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER Derek Dusek VP OF OPERATIONS & FINANCE Justin Bull

MANAGING EDITOR Joshua Koch CREATIVE DIRECTOR Daniel Tiller

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY Bradley Collier CAMPUS COORDINATOR Jackson DiPasquale CAMPUS ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE Joshua Waclawczyk STAFF WRITER Dennis Silva II, Shana Willeford CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Carrie Follis CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Justin Hartojo, Jamey Wright, Cameron Driskill

ATHLET I C D I RECTOR MESSAGE

CONTACT INFORMATION VYPE Media, LLC 1334 Brittmoore Road, Suite 2901 Houston, TX 77043 EMAIL: info@vypemedia.com PHONE: 713-969-7105 WEBSITE: vype.com

San Marcos CISD has a tremendous amount of momentum building throughout all of our campuses. We are excited to introduce our partnership with Vype Media and celebrate the wonderful students, staff and programs that are major contributors to this momentum. The idea for this magazine was prompted by an initiative from Board of Trustee Miguel Arredondo. The initiative was “to find creative ways to improve our average daily attendance through universal participation in extra curricular activities”. The statistics speak for themselves, those students that are involved in these programs are present in class and high achievers academically. The goal for this platform is to expose our elementary and middle school students and their parents to

all of our programs that can enrich their educational journey. We will publish a magazine each semester highlighting programs in Athletics, Fine Arts, CTE, and campus clubs. As well as, promoting our facilities like the Student Activity Center, Performing Arts Center, and our state-of-the-art STEAM Center. A special thank you to our leadership, Dr. Michael Cardona and the Board of Trustees, for always supporting all things SMCISD. I hope as a parent you enjoy the magazine and take time to talk with your little rattlers about finding the program that interest them. It takes a village to make the village prosper.

VYPE is published by Vype Media, LLC. Reproductions in whole or in part without permission are prohibited. VYPE is not responsible for the return of unsolicited artwork, photography or manuscripts and will not be responsible for holding fees or similar charges. All digital submissions and correspondence will become property of VYPE. EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER All rights reserved. For editorial matters, please contact the editor. The views of contributing writers do not necessarily reflect the policies of VYPE nor that of the publishers. VYPE has a clear commitment to inviting and publishing corrections of fact and clarifying errors of context. Corrections of errors and mistakes are a necessity in obtaining credibility in the magazine. VYPE supports and encourages our staff and contributing writers and photographers to make any potential error known to our editor. ADVERTISING DISCLAIMER All rights reserved. The views and opinions of VYPE advertisers does not reflect that of VYPE High School Sports Magazine. In accordance with the NCAA Bylaws, VYPE and its advertisers have complied in all advertisements present in VYPE.

Rattler Up, John Walsh San Marcos Athletic Director

S A N M A R C O S H I G H S C H O O L S P O R T S

S M C I S D . N E T

INAUGURAL EDITION

on the cover Photo by Bradley Collier

RATTLER UP!: Welcome to the inaugural San Marcos CISD VYPE Magazine. Congratulations to Daniella Alvarez, Julian Torres, Marcos Morales, Isaiah DeLeon, Ruby Gordon, Jay Simmons, Elizabeth “Liz” Salmon and Sofia White for gracing the cover. Time to Rattler Up!

RATTLER UP! S A N M A R C O S A T H L E T I C S R E A D Y T O S T R I K E I N 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 S E A S O N S R

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STR I KE AS ONE STRENGTH I N NUMBERS BREAK I NG BARR I ERS THE RATTLER EXPER I ENCE LEAV I NG A LEGACY

SPOTLIGHT ARTICLES

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photo Feature

Sofia White

STRIKE AS ONE

Exavion Harris

Marcos Morales

Samantha Sosa

WE LC OME TO T HE I NAUGUR A L S AN MAR C OS C I SD V Y P E MAG A Z I NE ! WE AR E E X C I T ED TO BR I NG YOU T HE BE S T O F R AT T L E R AT H L E T I C S AND BE YOND T HR OUGHOU T T HE 2 0 2 2 - 2 3 S CHO O L Y E AR . I T I S AN E X C I T I NG T I ME I N R AT T L E R NAT I ON F R OM F OOT B A L L , VO L L E YB A L L , CR OS S C OUN T R Y TO T HE B AND , CHE E R L E AD E R S AND T HE 3 X GR AND CHAMP I ON SMHS D I AMOND L I NE A L L F I ND I NG SUC C E S S ! R AT T L E R NAT I ON … L E T ’ S R I D E !

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photo Feature

Yaya Castro

Nikolas Hall

Julian Torres

King Diaz

Serenity Alvarez

Nevay Ronquillo

Brinkley Reeves

Jessica Lemus

photo Feature

Rose Rios

Ruby Gordon

Michael Lancaster

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Sarah Johnson

Jake Rodriguez-Scholz

Lauren Lopez

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photo Feature

Liana Guerra

Isaiah DeLeon

Mina Koonz

Daniella Alzarez

LaTavia Calloway

Feature

\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a T H OMP S O N B U I L D I N G R A T T L E R S T H R O U G H D E T A I L E D P L A N ; T R U S T NUUMMBBERRS STRENGTH IN

but it ’s very lower-body dominant . To hit the ball out of the park , you have to be strong in the lower body. Same as volleyball. It ’s all about explosion in your lower body to get off the ground. I simulate those same movements in the weight room.” While being strong is impor tant , endurance is his motivation. “I’m trying to tax your body like a game does,” he said. “I’m trying to simulate a game-like experience… a five-game set or the four th quar ter. That ’s when you win or lose.” Thompson’s greatest traits are that he played the game at an elite level in high school under his current mentor, he knows what the college level is looking for and he is well-educated in his field. But that ’s not all… he’s young. “I can relate pretty well because of my age,” he laughed. “I was literally in high school less that 10 years ago. It all really comes down to one thing and that is a relationship. If kids know that you care about them, they will lift every weight in the weight room and run through any wall for you. They just want someone in their corner who they can trust and talk to, regardless of spor t .”

coach is now his boss in John Walsh. Thompson won back-to-back State Championships at Denton Guyer (2012 , 2013) as a defensive end under the direction of Walsh. He went on to play at Rice, where he received his degree in Kinesiology. It was a per fect fit for Walsh when he began building his culture at San Marcos. “If you want to compete at the highest level in Texas, you have to be committed to speed and strength, and Coach Walsh cer tainly is,” Thompson said. “If you don’ t dedicate the resources to it , your program will fall behind. Everything is so specialized now. It ’s not like the old days, where you just lift the heaviest weight a few times a week . Everything is planned out in 4-to-6-week increments. Everything is built in for every spor t . There is no guessing, it ’s a plan.” Having to build spor t specific workout plans is a challenge, but he really looks at it from a different perspective. “I really don’ t think about the actual spor t my athletes play, but the movements that take place in a respective spor t ,” he said. “When you take a deep dive, a lot of movements look the same. Take softball. You think it ’s all arm and shoulder work ,

The 25-year-old San Marcos Speed and Strength coach was built for this job, vir tually speaking it into existence. “I’ve really dedicated my whole life since high school at the age of 15 to be a strength coach,” Thompson laughed. “I’ve done everything needed to get into this position and I’m so excited to be here.” His high school coach must be so proud, right? Well , his high school

AS THE SAYING GOES, STRENGTH IS IN NUMBERS. At San Marcos High School , last year the Rattlers saw playoff appearances in football , volleyball , boys and girls’ basketball and had a powerlifting and wrestling state qualifier along with a 2020 Wrestling State Champion. A big key to that success has been strength and conditioning coach Carl Thompson, who looks like he can still play.

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FOOTBALL

Michael Garza

\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a R A T T L E R S W I L L P L A Y P H Y S I C A L ; F E A R L E S S I N 2 02 2 EEDGGEE ON THE

WHEN THE NEW UIL REALIGNMENT JUMPED ONTO SCREENS OF REGIONAL OFFICES ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS IN FEBRUARY, THINGS DRASTICALLY CHANGED FOR THE SAN MARCOS RATTLERS. They moved from an eight-team District 26-6A with the likes of Lake Travis and Austin Westlake and back over to the six-team District 27-6A based in San Antonio. “People ask are we Austin or San Antonio?” athletic director and head football coach John Walsh said. “We are San Marcos.” Enough said, by a coach who knows winning from his days at Denton Guyer, where he won a pair of State titles.

Andrew Perez, Kutter Gage Webb, Isaiah DeLeon, Tony Diaz, Martin Ruiz, Michael Garza, Jake Rodriguez-Scholz, Jake Darling, Coach John Walsh, Ory Williams, Exavion Harris, Jay Simmons, Jaidyn Brown, Kevin Morales and King Diaz

coach them to be,” Walsh said. “I want the guys to play fearless and fly around the ball. I give them freedom but a framework to work within. I want to them to play with an edge.” As the Rattlers navigated through the non-district , these are the games that count the most and Walsh will have them ready for battle.

offense from his QB spot , while the offensive line is incrementally bigger and stronger. Mar tin Ruiz , Kevin Morales and Ory Williams can impose their will up front . Jaidyn Brown is a talented back and will be complimented by Jake Rodriguez-Scholz . Jake Darling has been leading the defense. “ This is a man’s game. It ’s physical and that ’s how we

really proud of that , and we have a real positive vibe going on around here.” On the football field, the Rattlers finished 5-6 a year ago and reached the postseason. With more varsity experience and another entire offseason under the direction of Walsh, San Marcos is primed to have success in its new district . Isaiah DeLeon leads the

Walsh is Texas high school football royalty and is building something special at San Marcos as a coach and AD. “Results are a big thing,” he said. “Winning is fun, but we are building a family culture here and that is something special. Most every team made the playoffs last season and I’m

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FOOTBALL

\\ By J o s h u a Ko c h 2 02 4 S A N MA R C O S O L E MB R A C E S S I Z E TARRGGEET A BIG

“I feel like it ’s more person over player,” said Williams about what he is looking for in a program. “If they can bond with me, then I feel like it ’ ll be good.” Williams star ted playing football at three-years-old, when it was just flag. Then in the third grade, he star ted playing basketball , which slimmed him down and paid off on the gridiron improving his agility and footwork . His family moved away from San Marcos for a little while, before moving back for his junior campaign when he played on the JV team. “I’m back here, this was home originally,” he said. “It feels good to be back with my brothers. We have a good coaching staff and I love them.” The big man in the trenches for the Rattlers enjoys watching Mar tin and Kill Bill on HBO in his downtime, of course, when he is not paintballing. He doesn’ t listen to music before a game but when he does it is country music. “Athleticism” is what Williams feels like he brings to the trenches and has plans to use it to pave his football path over the nex t few years. “Definitely, in the nex t two to three years playing college football and hopefully go in that first round,” Williams said.

IT MAY SOUND FUNNY BUT FOLLOW ME ON THIS. Ory Williams is 6-feet 7-inches tall. The four star offensive lineman for the San Marcos Rattlers stands out in any room he walks into. And especially when he walks onto the field or in his favorite hobby outside of football – the paintball range. “I know it ’s going to sound funny because I’m a big target , but I love to [play] paintball ,” Williams said with a huge smile. “I love it . Paintball is my favorite. I used to ride Go-Kar ts, but I can’ t fit in them anymore.” Williams is definitely a big target in the paintball game but has also become a big target on the recruiting landscape as attention turns to the Class of 2024. Ranked as the No. 41 overall prospect in Texas for the 2024 cycle – and the 17th-ranked offensive tackle in the nation by 247Spor ts – Williams already has an offer list that many would dream of. Texas, LSU, Houston, Florida, Baylor, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, UTSA and Arizona State have already shown interest with more to surely come.

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THE LAW OFFICES OF DAVID C. HARDAWAY IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF RATTLER ATHLETES ON AND OFF THE FIELD. ESPECIALLY OUR VERY OWN LAUREN LOPEZ CAPTAIN OF THE GIRLS TENNIS TEAM . LAUREN IS AN OUTSTANDING STUDENT ATHLETE AND INTERN WITHIN OUR FIRM. WE ARE PROUD TO PARTNER IN HER AND HER FELLOW RATTLERS FUTURE SUCCESS!

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Feature

\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a Ph o t o b y Ka l e i E n g l ema n / Tex a s S t a t e A t h l e t i c s F O RM E R S A N MA R C O S S T A R T A L K S C H A L L E N G E S O F D Y S L E X I A BREAAKING BARRIERS

“I have just fallen in love with the game of volleyball ,” Walsh said. “You are all connected in the spor t and chemistry is so impor tant – you have to pass to the setter and the setter has to assist the hitter. It ’s a connection that carries on and off the cour t too.” What was it about Texas State that made the land of Bobcats her new home? “It ’s a winning atmosphere and everyone on the team wants to win,” Walsh said. “We have hard days, but you lean on your teammates when you need them. It ’s so fun and it ’s also close to home.” As she looks back on her challenges with Dyslexia, what advice would she give to anyone battling the learning disorder ? “Own up to it and don’ t be ashamed of it ,” Walsh said. “Use your accommodations and advantages because it is a struggle.”

a club, high school and college volleyball recruit , “Bethany” was always there. “Whenever I said something stupid, I’d say ‘Oh, that was Bethany talking’,” she laughed. “I had a name for my Dyslexia. “I know it sounds crazy, but Dyslexia helped me in spor ts. It gave me a work ethic in the classroom. I always had to put in ex tra time studying, so when it came to spor ts, I wasn’ t afraid to put in the ex tra work . A lot of people didn’ t have to study in high school , I did. The work ethic has helped me transition into college as well , taking five courses while also balancing volleyball travel , games and practices.” Her hard work on the cour t earned her the District Newcomer of the Year as a freshman; first-team, all-district as a sophomore; the District Offensive Player of the Year as a junior and District MVP as a senior.

most people.” Dyslexia didn’ t define the San Marcos-grad, athletics did. She was a softball and volleyball star, coming from one of the first families of DFW spor ts as a prep. Her sister (Sami) and brother (JW) starred at Denton Guyer and her father (John) was the head football coach, before the family moved to San Marcos High School. “I grew up at the athletic facility,” Walsh said. “After school , I’d play with all the other coaches’ kids. In middle school , people realized I was the coach’s daughter. Some days I loved it , some days I hated it , but overall , I loved having a coach as a dad. I wouldn’ t be the player I am today if not . “Sometimes I wanted to come home and complain but he would always have the coaches’ side,” she laughed. As she developed into

MAGGIE WALSH WAS DIAGNOSED WITH DYSLEXIA IN THE FIRST GRADE. It ’s been a long journey, but the 5-foot-10, Texas State outside hitter overcame her challenges, which has made her a more holistic young woman. “My main challenge with Dyslexia was owning up to it ,” Walsh said. “I would have to be taken out of class and everyone would be staring at you. It was embarrassing. “I had a snapping point in middle school. I had to stop being ashamed of it . To get good grades, I had to use my accommodations.” Walsh credits Denton ISD teacher Mary Decker, who was instrumental in her Dyslexia timeline. “She was amazing and really calmed my parents down,” Walsh said. “ They didn’ t take it well in the beginning, but getting the help was so impor tant . She just taught me that I had to learn a different way than

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VOLLEYBALL

\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a O L L E T T B R I N G S C O N S I S T E N C Y T O V O L L E Y B A L L P R O G R AM FOUNDAATTION SETTING THE

WHILE COACH MEGANN OLLETT IS NEW TO SAN MARCOS HIGH, SHE HAS BEEN AROUND SOME OUTSTANDING HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL IN HER CAREER. Ollett was most recently the head coach at (Katy) Mayde Creek the past two seasons. Prior to that , she was the head coach at Fort Bend Austin and an assistant at a super-power, Seven Lakes. She is bringing consistency to the program. “We have been progressing nicely in the preseason and increasing our volleyball IQ,” she said. “We have to maximize the talent we have and work as a team to be successful. This is a very balanced district , where anyone can beat anyone. We can’ t expect to just show up, play and just expect to win. We have to be connected and play smar t volleyball.” The Rattlers are running a 6-2 offense with a pair of setters in Ruby Gordon and Grace Pactanac. The offensive weapons are seniors Liana Guerra and Liz Salmon and sophomore Brinkley Reeves – a Division I talent . “Our front with Liana, Liz and Brinkley is solid,” she said. “ They are all three great at mixing up their shots from all different swing locations. Cal (Callissa) Castro and Grace are great on defense and have been placing the ball well for the set .”

Grace Pactanac, Liana Guerra, Elizabeth Salmon, Callissa Castro, Ruby Gordon, Brinkley Reeves and Samantha Sosa

The goal is to get into the postseason and set the foundation under Ollett . “ They have bought into the program early on,” she said. “ They want to win and we can build a successful program here. We aren’ t filled with a bunch of Division I athletes, but that doesn’ t change my expectation. We have some great girls here who are dedicated to getting better. We can win a lot of games with that type of character.”

Grace Pactanac

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\\ By J o s h u a Ko c h R A T T L E R S S E N I O R L E A D E R E Y E I N G B I G 2 02 2 S E A S O N CALLISSA CAASTTRRO THE 411:

the San Marcos communi ty about this team? CASTRO: We’re going to have a lot of energy this year.

prove our point . VYPE: What was this offseason like for you all? CASTRO: We worked hard. This was one of the hardest years with two-a-days,

coming in early, getting ex tra reps. Doing the little things we needed to work on and being coachable have been helpful. VYPE: What would you tell

WHEN TEAMS CAME INTO THE SNAKE PIT LAST YEAR, MANY OF THEM LEFT SNAKE BIT BY THE RATTLERS VOLLEYBALL SQUAD IN 2021. San Marcos finished 32-13 overall a year ago, going 7-7 in district play, and reached the Bi-District round of the playoffs. Entering district play this fall , San Marcos was 19-12 for the 2022 season and would be set to battle East Central , New Braunfels, Clemens, Steele and Judson for a playoff slot . A postseason ber th in 2022 would also mark a third-straight trip to the playoffs, which hasn’ t ’ been done since the 1999 2001 seasons. Callissa Castro, who played 35 sets for the Rattlers a year ago, finished with 97 digs and 17 assists on the year. With the graduations of Maggie Walsh (Texas State) and Emery Jones, it ’s Castro who is being relied upon to step up. VYPE: What did you all take from last season? CASTRO: It was really good. Everyone usually looks down on us because we’ve never had a solid team since the last year or two. It was good to be a big-dog finally and

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\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a A R T S P R O G R AMS B R I N G T H E S H OW T O F R I D A Y N I G H T S RATTLER ATTLE THE

Isabella “Nova” McFarland, Julian Torres, Mackenzie Smith, Kirsten Matthews and Sarah Johnson

Caydence Crumley

AT SAN MARCOS HIGH SCHOOL , IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT JUST THE ATHLETES ON THE FIELD BUT EVERYONE THAT COMES TOGETHER TO MAKE THE “RATTLER EXPERIENCE” A SPECIAL ONE. FROM THE BAND TO THE CHEERLEADERS AND THE DIAMOND LINE , IT TAKES EVERYONE TO PULL OFF THE GREATEST SHOW IN TEXAS – FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS.

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EXPERIENCE

Caydence Crumley, LaTavia Calloway and Serenity Alvarez

Mackenzie Smith

Lola Medrano

Kirsten Matthews

Feature

\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a K N I G H T H A S B U I LT D I AMO N D L I N E I N T O E L I T E P R O G R AM DIAMOND DYNASTY

check their egos at the door. “Chemistry is my No. 1 thing,” Knight said. “If you can’ t be friends and bond with each other, you can’ t dance with each other. It shows up on the dance floor. It ’s so hard to empower young women these days with everything going on. Instead of being jealous of one another, we hype each other up from compliment circles at the end of class to team dinners. We are a team, and no one is bigger than the team.” The reason Knight is passionate about her group of young ladies is that she was once in their shoes, walking the halls of San Marcos High as a student . Knight went on to Texas Woman’s University and then launched the middle school dance programs within the district . “I want all of my girls to know that they are ‘enough’,” she said. “I want them to be life-long learners and great members of society. They are wor thy of anything they work for. I want them to learn time management , responsibility and discipline. Most impor tantly, to encourage other women to get great , be a great teammate and friend.” Sounds like a winning formula to me.

THE DIAMOND LINE AT SAN MARCOS HIGH SCHOOL COULD BE THE MOST DECORATED EXTRA CURRICULAR PROGRAM INSIDE OF RATTLER NATION. Michelle Knight has been directing one of the state’s most elite drill teams since 2007 and has the hardware to back up the Diamond Line’s prowess – 14 State Titles and 1 National Championship. “We really built this thing from the ground up,” Knight said. “It has been amazing to watch the success of the program over the years. Like an athletic team, we just work every day on refining our technique. We are known as a precision dance team, so we are striving for per fect precision all the time. The routine hours of the rehearsal… the again, again, again and again… is what makes us so successful.” As the banners fill the dance room, it ’s the memories and development that keeps Knight pushing for excellence. “ The banners are impor tant , just like a State ring for a football coach,” she said. “It ’s what we are all coveting, right? But my favorite thing is to watch a team grow from the beginning of the year, take something that is a mess and make it into a per fect finished product . “It makes everyone in the program go wild.” Even with all the titles, the Diamond Line dancers must

[Back Row]: Andrea Contreras, Alexia Banda, Kelly Torres and Lola Medrano; [Front Row]: Yadira Castro, Lexi Carpenter, Sofia White, Matti Wingard, Eva Moore and Brooke Dutchover

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cross country

\\ By J o s h u a Ko c h S A N MA R C O S X C S T A R S L O O K I N G T O D R O P B I G T I M E S RATTTLEERRS RUNNIN’

Connor McGlothlin, Alexandria Juarez, Joseph Storch, Mina Koonz and Marcos Morales

86th), Elijah Rubio (19:27.70 – 121st), Tyler Swain (19:34.60 – 124th), Joseph Storch (19:47.20 – 130th) and Noah Baen (19:49.30 – 131st). On the girls side, Kareena Rodriguez (19:46.30 – 15th), Alexandria Juarez (20:07.60 – 23rd), Mina Koonz (21:41.30 – 64th), Ava Howle (21:58.10 – 7 1st), Mar tinez Annalise (22:23.20 – 84th) and Grace Hernandez (22:37.70 – 91st) per formed well in the first meet of the season. This will be a team to watch this season.

THE 2022 CROSS COUNTRY SEASON IS OFF AND RUNNING WITH EACH RUNNER HOPING TO REACH THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF PUTTING FOOT TO DIRT IN ROUND ROCK IN NOVEMBER. San Marcos opened its season at the Westlake Chaparral Invitational at the end of August , where they had some solid per formances. Connor McGlothlin led the pack with a time of 16:59.30 and took 26th overall. Other top runners included Josh Rubio (18:08.70 – 73rd), Morales Marcos (18:30.50 –

Alexandria Juarez

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\\ By Ma t t Ma l a t e s t a L OMB A R D O H E A D S T O T E X A S A &M A F T E R I L L U S T R I O U S H S C A R E E R LLEGGACCYY LEAVING A

fought together.”

National Honor Society and a four-year varsity letterman in softball. Lombardo was also a two-time Hays County Livestock Show Duchess and a Princess her senior year. How did she do it all? “I’m a very visual thinker and a little OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder),” she laughed. “ That helped me to be organized. I’m a ‘ to do list ’ person and I just prioritize what I need to get done. I just go down the list , one thing at a time.” As she shuttled from practices to meetings to raising animals, one par ticular moment stuck with Lombardo. Her most fond memory wearing the purple and gray. “With COVID, our softball season had been cut shor t ,” she said. “We wanted our senior year to be great . We played Atkins and the winner made the playoffs. I’ve never been in a situation when I looked to the left and right of me and I saw a true sister. We played as one and

DON’T LET THAT SWEET SMILE FOOL YOU OR EVEN THE TWINKLE IN HER EYE - ANNALEAH LOMBARDO GOES AFTER WHAT SHE WANTS WITH TENACITY. The recent San Marcos graduate has a high school resume as long as her arm. An unmatched work ethic and a vision for her life. “My parents instilled in me to get involved in as much as you can,” she said. “I couldn’ t have done it without them, and they pushed me. Kids need that . Once you get involved, it opens your eyes. It inspires you to do more and want more. Regardless of your resources, I’m a big believer that if there is a will , there is a way. If you want to… you will.” Lombardo has been raising lambs for over a decade. She took that love of animals into high school. She was the president of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) at San Marcos her junior and senior year. She was a member of the

The Rattlers would go on to win and reach the postseason. As Lombardo says goodbye, she has left a tremendous legacy inside the halls of San Marcos High and has been a role-model for her peers over the years. She now takes her high energy and positive attitude to Texas A&M University. “San Marcos has been the best four years of my life… so far,” she said. “Becoming an Aggie is a dream come true. I’m beyond excited to go to such a passionate and proud school.” She will be studying animal science as she star ts her journey to become a veterinarian. “ That ’s what I aspire to do,” she said. “ That ’s the plan.” With “ to-do lists” in tow, if Lombardo wants to… she will accomplish everything on it just one check mark at a time.

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tennis

\\ By J o s h u a Ko c h R A T T L E R T E N N I S R E A D Y T O E X C E L I N F A L L , S P R I N G S E A S O N S SERVE IT UP

“On the cour t they are both grinders — getting back ball after ball to force opponents’ errors,” he said. Fellow seniors Aaron Espinoza – who has an “explosive forehand” – and Jessica Lemus are others to take note off. Lemus is coming off a torn labrum and brings “doubles depth” to the squad. With 12 seniors graduating off of last year ’s squad, that has opened the door for the youngsters to step up. Freshman Chloe Ameyaw and sophomore Rowan Jeffers, Alex Quintero and Haley Aguilar are ones to remember. They may be a little young, but watch for the senior leadership to guide this Rattlers tennis squad this year.

MICHAEL MARTINEZ KNOWS WHAT IT TAKES TO REACH THE NEXT LEVEL ON THE HARDTOP. The eighth-year tennis coach at San Marcos High School not only works with the high school team but also down with both middle schools as well. Mar tinez star ted playing tennis in the eighth grade when he was growing up and went on to play three years at St . Mary ’s University. He has been coaching for 14 years. The Rattlers were 3-2 in non-district to star t the year in team tennis. They fell in their first two district contests of the year but Mar tinez saw some positives to carry through the rest of the fall. “In our first district match we lost 3-10 but a highlight was our No. 1 boy and girl both winning their singles match against the Clemens Buffalos, which hasn’ t happened in the last four years,” Mar tinez said. “Expectation is to break a four-year playoff drought . East Central and Judson are our tickets to a playoff match.” So, who gets them there? Captains Nikolas Hall and Lauren Lopez will be the cornerstones of the squad for the 2022-23 season. They “bring leadership to our team”, Mar tinez said and bring it on the cour t .

Aaron Espinoza

Nikolas Hall, Lauren Lopez, Aaron Espinoza and Jessica Lemus

swimming

\\ By J o s h u a Ko c h R A T T L E R S R E A D Y T O D I V E I N T O P O O L I N 2 02 3 SPLASH ZONE

and ready to help teammates fine tune their technique as well. She competes in breast , back , free, and both relays.” On Rios – “Rose brings experience as a senior. She is eager to help underclassmen during practice and eager to help the team outside of the pool. She competes in free, back and relays.” Outside of that trio, Kaylie Juergens and Robin Smith will be other seniors to watch this year. Freshman Lauren Gabrian could be a big name by the end of year as well. Time to dive in and Rattler Up!

and work ethic to keep going until they get there.” A trio of seniors will lead the swim squad this season for Dawkins – Nevay Ronquillo, Rose Rios and Letizia Cabrera. On Ronquillo –“He is an excellent leader for our team. He is always willing to work with newer swimmers or give feedback to help team members improve individually and as a whole. He is also very self-motivated and driven. He competes in fly, free and both relays.” On Cabrera – “Leti brings skills and technique to the pool. She is a competitor

“be determined to improve and have the work ethic and drive to do so”. “I expect all of my swimmers to improve in any given area, including time, endurance, strength, star ts, turns, breathing, technique at every practice,” Dawkins said. “I want them to feel accomplished when they set goals and reach them. If they don’ t reach them in the time they expected, I want them to have the determination

LAUREN DAWKINS IS READY FOR HER TEAM TO “RATTLER UP” IN THE 2022-23 SEASON. “ To Rattler Up means to bring a top tier work ethic every day, have a positive attitude, be coachable, have fun and reflect on our program, positively, and not only in the pool , but in the classroom and in our community,” Dawkins said. Going into the 22 23 season, Dawkins is expecting her swimmers to

Letizia Cabrera

Rose Rios, Nevay Ronquillo and Letizia Cabrera

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golf

\\ By J o s h u a Ko c h S A N MA R C O S G O L F E Y E I N G B I G S E A S O N I N 2 02 3 D.R.I.V.E. .I.V. READY TO

him confidence going into his high school career.” – Mungia on Lancaster “Noah Sierra says that ‘last season was full of ups and downs’. He definitely would have liked to per form better, but states he has improved in his mental toughness on the course. Noah shared that he has learned how defeating it can be to a player ’s game to lose focus. This past spring was an impor tant time for his game; strengthening his mental game combined with more practice on his swing than ever before is leading to lower scores and greater confidence.” – Mungia on Sierra “Kai Lee will be a player to watch as he will be one of the leading returners heading into his senior season. He has many years of experience, and his goals are to compete to win some tournaments this year. He is a dual-spor t athlete as Kai is par t of the SMHS basketball team as well.” – Mungia on Lee Entering the 2023 golf season, the San Marcos Striking Rattlers are looking to return veteran players, such as Sierra, Alvarez , Joshua Rhodes and Emerson Warner; while welcoming new players Katie Seebeck and Michael Perez among many others.

experienced players, we are looking to her to help our new golfers raise their games.”- Mungia on Alvarez “Last golf season, incoming freshmen Michael Lancaster improved his overall golf game, especially his iron play. He has star ted to noticeably take more divots with his irons which has boosted his confidence. Earlier this year, in the FANG [middle school/high school scramble] the team he played on tied for first place, but lost a tie breaker. Such good play has given

golf,” first-year coach Mungia said. As they get ready to tee it up this spring for San Marcos, Mungia broke down some of his top returning golf stars. “Daniella Alvarez is a returning varsity player who has competed with Rattler golf teams since she was in middle school. Daniella has enjoyed the game for a while having star ted playing golf when she was 5 years old. As one of our most GOLFER BREAKDOWN

LAST SEASON, THE SAN MARCOS GOLF TEAM COINED THE TERM D.R.I.V.E. [DEDICATION, RESPECT, INTEGRITY, VICTORY AND EXCELLENCE] AS THEIR TEAM MOTTO. They will carry that into the 2023 season as the Striking Rattlers golfers aim to make big drives down the fairways. “In sum, we are looking toward team growth (both in numbers and quality of play) and all players working toward making each other better to compete at a high level and enjoy the game of

Daniella Alzarez, Noah Sierra and Michael Lancaster

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