by Dreama Ortivez
LA VETA– We so often hear about our high school athletes, but what about our jr. high teams? The Jr. High Lady Panthers are making a dig of their 2010 season. The Panthers are 28 girls from 6th, 7th and 8th grades. They have two teams, a 7th grade team and an 8th grade team.
The 7th grade team is playing very well with a record of 4-2. The girls on the 7th grade team include the following: Jade Barela, Alyssa Benine, Robynn Berger, Cheyenne Bernal, Olivia Cabrera, Tai Martinez, Taylor Ruiz, Sarah Salazar, Jacqueline Sanistevan, Kalee Summers, Tyra Trujillo and Autum Valdez (all 6th graders) and Ashley Garcia, Ruth Hessler, Aubrey Kline, Tlali Ordaz, and Clara Whitehead (all 7th graders).
The 8th grade Lady Panthers are having an exceptional season; they have an undefeated record. This is the first time that the Jr. High Panthers have been undefeated. The girls played some tough teams and defeated each one in two games. The girls hosted Trinidad for their opening season and won 25-9 and 25-11. They then traveled to Raton and came home with a victory of 25-9 and 25-13. The Lady Panthers then traveled to Lamar and defeated them in two games 25-9 and 25-11. Their fifth game of the season was in Fowler where the Lady Panthers made another outstanding performance with a victory of 25-11 and 25-16.
Very soon the girls were on the road to compete again. They traveled to Hoehne and claimed another victory over the Farmers 25-6 and 25-21. The Lady Panthers hosted Rocky Ford on their home court on Tuesday. On Saturday, they will be competing in a tournament in Hoehne. They will take on Rye, Hoehne and Trindad. Next Tuesday there will be a Huerfano County showdown between the Panthers and La Veta in Walsenburg.
The 8th grade team members include the following: Shai-Anne Ortiz, Amelia Shane, Heidi Spone, Shayanne Urdiales and Clara Whitehead (all 7th graders) and Bryanna Berger, Sarah Encinias, Brandais Martinez, Alyssa Sandoval and Destinee Summers (all 8th graders).
The girls are coached by Aaron Vallejos and Veronica Salas. All of these Jr. High Panthers deserve a round of applause for their hard work and dedication. Good luck girls and keep up the good work.
