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Hall of Fame
Orlando Canizales
Laredo Martin High School and Texas A&M International Alumni
Area Champions and Growing
Alpha LISTING
AREA SPORTS CHAMPIONS
Humberto Adame,
Laredo Martin, state cross country champion,
mid-1950s. He ran at the
University of Texas.
John Alvey, Jr.,
Nixon football, went on to play at University of Houston,
1970s.
Marcos Aranda,
Laredo Cigarroa quarterback, led team to two
playoff wins in 1999. First Laredo
team with two playoff wins.
Cash Asmussen,
Laredo United, Top horse race jockey in New York and
Europe. Was a jockey for a Kentucky Derby race.
Steve Asmussen ,
Laredo United, Americas top horse racing trainer,
Kentucky Derby Winner and Preakness Winner , Breeders
CupClassic winn with Curlin. Top wins in one season
2008.
Top money winner and mounts in 2008.
Ben “Bimbo’’ Azios,
Laredo Martin basketball, baseball, 1940s. Star
infielder.
Eloy Barrera,
Laredo Martin, baseball,
basketball, 1930s went on to
play pro baseball in Texas and
Mexico leagues through the
1940s.
Mike Barrera,
Laredo Nixon basketball,
went on to play at Texas
A&I, late 1960s.
Bill Batey, Jr.,
Laredo Nixon basketball,
played at Tyler JC in early
1970s and has become a championship
golfer.
Dan Bell,
United, 1980s, 5A
state 3,200 meter champion, later
ran for the University of Texas.
Freddie Benavides,
Laredo Nixon, baseball, basketball in 1980s.
Went on to play at TCU and first
Laredo player in big leagues
from (1991-95). Freddie played for the Reds.
Ari Bermeda
Nixon, Regional Finalist Volleyball
Softball Basketball. LCC two
years . Is now at the University
of Texas at Pan Am.
Jason Bonugli,
United, All State Baseball , All
District Football . Now
plays for Texas A&M International.
Silverio Bosch,
Laredo Nixon, track field, who went to play high
jump 6-11 at Texas. Still competing
in Masters meets.
Joann Bruni Maddox,
Golf, 1950s. State Women Public Links
champion.
Alex Cadena,
Laredo Alexander baseball 1990s, all-stater set state
home run mark with 22. Two-time
triple crown winner in Laredo.
Jorge Canales,
Laredo United, 1980s, football, baseball, basketball.
He played baseball at LCC,
later at Northwood. Also played
soccer.
Gaby Canizales,
Professional Price boxer in 1980s. World bantamweight
champion in WBA and WBO, WBC.
Orlando Canizales,
Elected to the Professional Boxing Hall of Fame 2008 .
Professional price boxer in 1980-90s, IBF world
bantamweight champion, defended title a record 16
times. Fought and defended one of his champiohships
fights in Laredo in true Laredo fashion with 101 degree
weather outside. The fight was held at the Civic Center
grounds OUTSIDE.
Memo Cantu,
Laredo Martin, baseball, basketball. 1960s. He played
at St. Edward’s, drafted by
Houston Colt 45s. Played on
Mexican National Team.
Hugo Chaparro,
Holding Institute, 1970s, basketball, went
to play at LCC and Mary Hardin-
Baylor College. Scored 61 points
in single game at Holding.
Chevo Contreras, Jr.
Laredo Martin baseball 1950s, went on to
play at Texas and in Hearst All-
Star Game at New York’s Polo
Grounds.
Irene Contreras,
Martin, All District High Jump Track &
Field, State High Jumper. Is now
jumping for the University of Texas
at El Paso.
Mark Contreras,
Laredo Alexander, track and field. He was state
champion in 3,200 in 1990s.
Meme Cruz,
Laredo Martin, track and field, football, baseball, mid-
1970s. Two-time all-stater in
track, ran a 9.5 100-yard dash.
Jose Cue,
Laredo Martin, 1970s, football, basketball, track and
field. Went on to high jump for
University of Houston.
Eddie Cuellar,
United, basketball, baseball, played in 1980's . All Stater i
in basketball. He also played baseball at United.
Fernando Dovalina,
Baseball, pitcher-hitter, 1930s and 40s
played around country with traveling
team.
Lazaro Dovalina,
Pitcher infielder-hitter in the 1940s and
50s against teams from around
country.
Doug Ekeroth,
Laredo United, basketball, played in 1980s. Tallest player
Laredo history at 6-11. Played four years at Rice.
Roel Elizalde
Laredo Alexander, All State Cross Country Track & Field ,
Cross Country. Is now running for Texas State University.
Michelle Elizondo,
Alexander , all-state selection in both
basketball and softball... selected as
the Most Valuable Player in the
Laredo-area in both basketball and
volleyball... earned a total of 15
varsity letters during her high school
athletic career in track and field, basketball, softball and
volleyball. University of Texas at Pan Am earns double All Conference Honors in the shot and
and discus at the Great Western 2009 Track Championships. Concludes her remarkable collegian
career with an outstanding four year 4.0 Grade Point Average.
Juan Esparza,
Laredo Martin, football, played in 1990s. He led state 5A
passers one season.
Roberto Flores,
Laredo Martin, baseball, basketball, played in 1940s.
Starred in baseball at St. Mary’s
University.
Carol Frost,
Laredo United, basketball, track, played in 1970s. Picked
to play in North-South All-Star
game. He also high jumped 6-5.
Alvaro Garcia
United , Football . Holds the Texas
high school passing yards in a game,
record set in a regional finals against
San Antonio Reagan. He is now
playing football at Texas State University.
David Garcia,
Laredo Nixon, football, played in the 1980s. First team
allstate, played at Trinity University.
Felix Garcia,
LBJ (Laredo), All District Soccer,
U.S.A. Under 20 National Soccer
Team. Laredo Heat. Felix is one of
Laredo's outstanding talented
soccer player to ever lace
soccer shoes in the area. His
talents will take him to
national teams for the next 20
years , that is how good this young
man is playing soccer.
Hector H. Garcia,
St. Joseph, baseball, basketball played in
1950s. Went on to star at St.
Mary’s University. Named to the
St. Mary’s Hall of Fame.
Ivan Garcia Alexander, State
Finalist Cross Country. Is
now running for the Univeristy
of Texas at San Antonio.
Jesse Garcia-Perez,
Laredo Alexander, football, basketball,
baseball, track and field, played 1999.
All-district first team in three
sports.
Joss Garcia,
Laredo United Longhorns, Football
All State Honorable Mention 2008,
All District 2008
Roberto "Bob" Garcia,
Alexander, All District Football,
Track & Field, . One of
most dominating offensive linemen
to ever play in Laredo football. Earns scholarship to play college football at Southwestern
Oklahoma University.
Beto Garza,
Laredo United, played in the late 1960s, early 70s.
Football,basketball, track and field all-state hurdler. He
playedfour years at tight end at Sam Houston State
University.
Beto Garza-Gongora,
Laredo United, baseball outfielder, played in the late 80's
early 90s. Played at TCU and won the last Southwest
Conference batting title.
David Garza
Laredo United, Track & Field and Football is now
playing for Texas A&M at Kingsville playing football.
Jaime Gonzalez,
Laredo Nixon, basketball 1980s. A 6-8 star, went on
to play at McMurry, LCC and Texas-Pan American.
Jorge Guarneros,
Laredo United , Baseball, 2008 All-District
Most Valuable Player after acquiring a 4-1 record with a
0.73 ERA while hitting .414 with 22 RBIs and four home
runs. Guarneros had several offers including several
from Division 1 baseball programs. He has gone on to
sign with Texas A&M University International.
Roger Gubser,
Tennis, 1990s. National and international amateur
player.
Polo Gutierrez ,
Football , Laredo Finishes his four years
starter at New Mexico State
Kirk Hays,
Laredo United, football, basketball, track and f ield, early
1970s. On relay team that qualified to state meet.
August O. Hein,
Laredo Martin, football, 1930s. He went on to star
at Rice University.
Aldo Hernandez
Laredo Alexander, football/soccer, State 7 on
7, 2008 All State Football First Team
. Record holding in passing
yards receiving and catches in a game. College pending
pro soccer selection pending.
Tomas Herrera,
Baseball pitcher, 1950s. He played AAA
for old San Diego Padres of tough Pacific Coast League.
Memo Heredia,
Laredo Martin, football, track and field, 1990s.
State 5A discus champion. Competed at Blinn,
A&MKingsville and internationally for Mexico.
Dario Hinojosa Sr.,
Laredo Martin football, basketball, track, 1940s. He went
on toplay football at LCC and East Texas State.
Dario Hinojosa Jr.,
Laredo Martin, football, basketball, baseball,
track and field. A quadruple threat in football as runner,
passer, punter and receiver in mid 1960s. Recruited by
Houston.
David Hinojosa,
St. Joseph Academy, football, track and
field, Texas A&I track and field sprinter in 1970s.
Alexandra Hopson Rodriguez
Laredo Alexander GOLF. Three time District
Champion Regional Champion. 3 Time Border Olympic
Champion. Is now playing for Houston Baptist.
Richard Hughes,
LCC professor, marathon runner. Has
run almost 80 marathons across the country and
internationally.
Emalie Humphreys
2008 Lrd Sports Wire Sports Player of The Year
Alexander, Earned All-District honors three consecutive years , Basketball All-State selection in 2006 and 2007 ... All-
District and All-Region honors as a junior and senior , team won district championship in 2004 and 2005 State
Finalist in the Disc 2006, basketball, track & field and volleyball. Is now part of Texas A&M Track & Field Team. In
2008 was part of the womens Big 12 Outdoor Track & Field Champions . She advanced to the 2008 Regional NCAA
Division 1 track & field in the Javelin. 2009 All Big 12 Conference Qualified for the NCAA 2009 Regional
Championships. Advanced to the 2009 NCAA Championships . More to come.
Sam Humphreys
Laredo Alexander, All American National USATF Track & Field Javelin Champion. 2008 District 295A Disc and Shut
Put Champion. 2009 District 29 Champion in the Discus and Shot put. Regional Champion earned a place on the
2009 State team. 3rd at the Great Western 2009 Track Championships. Awarded scholarship to Texas A&M
University to throw the Javelin.
Erica Gil
LBJ Softball. Is now playing at Texas A&M Kingsville
playing softball.
Marissa Jimenez,
Laredo Nixon, Softball 3 time First Team All District ,
volleyball isnow playing softball for Texas A&M
International.
Jimmy Jones,
Laredo Martin, football, track and field, 1940s. He
won the state shot put championship in late 1940s.
Roger Gonzalez,
Nixon, 2 Time All District Baseball,
football, basketball. Is now playin
for Texas A&M International.
John Linhart,
Laredo United pole vault, 1990s, State 5A
champion, went to vault in the Ivy League at Penn.
Jerry Lopez
Laredo Alexander Football, 2008 COACHES All District
MVP, 2008 All State Academic, 2008 State 7 on 7, 2008
All State Football Second Team,
State Recorder holding in
passing yards , attempts and completions. College
selection pending.
Robert Lopez
Laredo Alexander Football 2008 All Stae Academic
2 Time All District, Baseball 2 Time All District. Robert is
highly being recruited by NCAA Division One Baseball
programs. A gifted baseball pitcher with the toughness
of his all district linebacker resolve.
Simon Luna,
St. Joseph Academy, 1940s, baseball,
basketball, track and field. Later played pro baseball.
J.C. Bro Martin IV,
World skeet shooting champion in 1977.
Dickie Marquez,
Boxing, 1960s. Golden Gloves national
boxing tournament of champions in Chicago.
Gibby Martens,
Laredo Alexander, golf, 1990s. He went to state in 5A
twice, qualified for the national amateur tourney while at
UTSA.
Alex Martinez
Laredo Martin, 2008 All State
Academic ,Two time All District
Football.
Clarisa Martinez
Alexander, Track & Field Jumper, Volleyball, Softball . Is
now at LCC Volleyball.
Porfirio “Chio” Martinez,
Baseball, pitcher, 1920s, 1930s. The
only Laredo native named to the
Mexican League Hall of Fame.
Robert "Beto" Mata
Laredo Martin, Baseball played in national traveling
baseball teams.
Alfonso “Poncho’’ Mayers
Golden Gloves Southern U.S.
Champion, 1962-63.
Ramiro Molina,
Laredo United, 1980s, basketball, track and
field. Class 5A state high jump
with a then-record 7-1.
Gonzalo ‘’Chalo’’ Molina,
Laredo Martin, basketball, 1950s. At 5-4,
a star of a state tourney team.
Ismael ‘’Oso’’ Montalvo,
baseball, pitcher-hitter-manager
in 1930s and 40s.
Enrique Mejia, Sr.,
Laredo High School all sports athlete in
1930s, later played pro ball in
Texas and northern Mexico.
Alex Mendoza,
Laredo Martin, 5A
cross country state champion
late 1980s, later ran track and
cross country at the University
of Texas.
Jose Luis Moncivais,
Laredo Martin, earned letters in five
sports – football, basketball,
baseball, track and field, cross
country.
Salvador Narvaez, worldranked
karate competitor, 1980s.
Bryan Novoa, golf, Nixon,
1990s, 5A state tourney runnerup.
He won the last Southwest
Conference championship at Texas Tech.
Hector “Hecky’’ Noyola, Jr.,
Laredo Martin, late 1990s. Basketball 5A
all-stater, 5A state scoring champion,
averaging 30 points per game.
Albert Ochoa,
Laredo Martin, football,
basketball, track field, late
30s early 40s. He went on to play
football and run track at Sul
Ross and East Texas State University.
Arturo Ochoa,
Laredo Martin, football,
track and field, 1940s. Later
competed at East Texas State as
a long jumper, javelin thrower and relay man.
Richard Ochoa,
Laredo Martin, football, mid 1940s. He went on
to play fullback at Texas and was the MVP of the Cotton
Bowl. He was named this year to Longhorn Hall of Honor.
Christian Orduna,
Laredo Alexander, football, mid-1990s. He led 5A state 5A
rushers with more than 2,000 yards. Track and field,
1990s. Signed with The University of Texas.
Rene Ovalle,
Laredo United, football, basketball, baseball
through 1988. He played football and baseball at Brown,
now working on Wall Street in New York.
Jose Pepe Palacios,
Golf, His career spanned the 1950s
to 80s. He was a pro in Mexico and played in World Cup
against Japan.
Peter Palacios,
Golf, 1990s. St. Mary’s University,
competed in NAIA Tournament. St. Mary’s Athlete of the
Year.
Tomas Palacios,
Laredo Martin, golf, 1950s. Played at the
University of Oklahoma.
Maria De Los Angeles Pantoja,
Track field, 1990s.
Cigarroa, Mexico, Texas A&M track and field. Class 5A
state champion in 800, national AAU All Ameican
champion and on Mexican National team competing
internationally.
Peter Pappas,
Tennis. He played in state and national tournament
in 1930-40s.
Oscar Pena Sr.,
Laredo Martin, football, basketball, 1940s. He
went on to play on a 48-game win
streak East Texas State University team.
Jose ‘’Battling Shaw’’ Perez,
Pro boxing, world boxing champion of 1930
Xavier "Kid" Perez,
St. Augustine, TCIL all-state basketball, 1950s and former
coach in Corpus Christi.
Luis Pollorena,
Laredo United, Baseball ALL State First Team , State Semi
Finalist in High School baseball, 2 time all district
Baseball. Has hit the longest homer in the state baseball
tournment history in 2008. He is a senior in 08-09 .
Selected as 2008 High School Player of the Year by Lrd
Sports Wire. Earns All District four years in a row with his selection in 2009. Earns MVP for 2009 i
in baseball. Earns scholarship to attend Military school in Alabama to play baseball.
Raul Quiroz,
Laredo Alexander All State pitcher who led team to state
tournament in 1999.
Lawrence "Larry" Rea,
Laredo Nixon , All District Football, District Champion
Hurdles. Played two years football University of Arkansas.
Ana Christina Rodriguez,
Laredo United, All State Academic in Volleyball
and track & field
her junior and senior year. NJCAA All Conference at LCC
her two years there. Went on to play at Concordia
University.
Chilo Rodriguez,
Laredo Martin, baseball, 1980s. He played
four years at UT-Pan American and then the Mexican
League.
David Rodriguez,
St. Joseph Academy, all-state
basketball, 1970s, led team to three state TCIL
basketball titles.
Jose “Coche’’ Rodriguez,
Laredo Martin, 1950s. Baseball, football,
basketball. All-district in all
three sports.
Ovid Rodigurez,
St. Joseph early 1970's Football, Went on to be one of
Laredos Karate instructors that has sent many of his
students over the years to Karate Championships.
Rodriguez is a 3rd degree black belt in Karate.
Tony Salas,
Laredo United, Lrd Sports Wire 2008 Football MVP,
Coaches 2008 Newcomer of the Year, Considered
one of the best quarterbacks in Texas and he is
only a Sophomore in 2008. Scouting outlets have
set up tracking formats for the next two years to
follow his great abilities. He is also considered by
Major League scouts as a top prospect the next
two years as a pitcher. Lead his team as a
sophomore and advanced to area finals in UIL's
state football playoffs.
Carlos Saldana
St. Joseph Academy, Texas A&I football,
1960s. He was All-Texas College
lineman. Named to the A&I Hall
of Fame.
Armando Sanchez
Baseball, 1950s. Mexican Pacific Coast
Winter League All-Star centerfielder,
named the centerfielder of the decade (1950).
Irma Sanchez Webber
Laredo United, volleyball, basketball, track & field,
1980's 5A State high jump champion, played three years
ofvolleyball at the University of Texas.
Ricky Sanchez,
Laredo United, 4 Time All District All
City Baseball, football. Is now
playing for Texas A&M
International and had Tamiu in RBI's
tied in the team with doubles.
Andy Santos,
Laredo Martin, basketball, 1950s. Star of the Tiger
1956 state championship team
and also on Boys Club state
championship team.
Joseph Sciaraffa,
Alexander, Football, Track & Field,
Club Olympia Track and Field, AAU
State and Regional Qualifier Track &
Field. The University of Texas at Pan Am.
All Conference 2009 Ohio Valley. 2009 Border
Olympics Javelin Champion.
Rusty Segler,
Laredo United, basketball, 1970s. He played at LCC,
and later at Southwestern University (Georgetown). A
JUCO All-Star.
Jose “Moti” Segovia,
Distinguished rifleman, state high
power champion in 1980s.
Elizabeth Lizzy Silva
Laredo United Longhorns
Softball 2 time All District Softball ,
and basket Ball. A senior in 08 and
09. Lizzy has been a varsity starter
since her freshman year in
softball. Two sport champion.
Mark Silva
Laredo United, Baseball, 1990's. He played four years
at TCU,was selected ALL-WAC , hit three home runs in
onecollege game.
Paul Soliz,
Nixon, tennis, 1980s. Southwest Texas State,
now a teaching pro at Tyler.
Pete Soliz Sr,
Nixon, All District Baseball , Football. Pitched a no hitter
in high school . Went on to play in the Texas High School
All Star team in the Astrodome. He got a hit on that
game. He is now the assistant basketball coach at Nixon
with his son as the head coach.
Rudy Tijerina,
Nixon, baseball . In little league Rudy has the one of the
two perfect games pitched and the only one who
recorded that perfect game by stiking out all the batters
he faced. He went on to become a highly sought after
Geologist for oil and gas companies.
Tano Tijerina,
Nixon, baseball, 1990s. He was drafted by the
Brewers, played pro ball.
Phillip Trammell,
Martin, basketball. A star on the 1956
state championship team.
Gretel Trejo,
United, softball 2 time MVP All
District, volleyball. Is now
playing for Texas A&M University
International.
Raul Trevino,
Martin, football mid 1960s. He went on to star
at Texas A&I as a lineman.
John Valls,
Martin, track field, late 1940s. He went on to
Baylor and run in the top meets
across the nation – Texas Relays,
Drake and Kansas Relays.
Alfonso ‘’Lefty’’ Valls,
Martin, track and field, football,
1940s. He went on to star at East
Texas State University as a
trackman.
Roque Vela ,
Nixon, football, 1990's. He played at McMurry University.
Cindy Velasquez,
Class of 2009 Laredo United,
track and field, 3 Time All
district track and field
high jump, long jump, triple
jump and 100 low hurdles and runs relays.
Rick "The Slick" Velasquez,
Class of 2010 Laredo United.
United Longhorn, Track &
Field , Football. One of the
youngest selections in
Laredo Champions. Rick has distinguished himself with
sports talent in track & field All Districts honors and
football All District honors as a Soph and now as a junior
in football. We can not wait for his senior year and see
how he will distinquesh himself. We will be there to
record his selection by a college to play at the next level.
Sergio "Red" Velasquez,
Alexander, All District Baseball, football, basketball. Four
year varsity baseball player, highly recruited by college
baseball programs. State Champion , Regional
Champion in Senior Baseball.
Pete Villanueva,
Martin, baseball, 1990s. He played at LCC, who went to
to lead St. Mary’s as an all-conference shortstop.
Brenda Virjan,
Nixon, basketball, volleyball, track and field, 1970s. She
went on to play at St. Philip’s College and Angelo State.
Teresa Wabler, United, swimmer, 1980s. She holds a
lot of United records and went on to swim at Northern
Colorado University.
Sammy Ward,
Martin, football, baseball, late 1950s. He played in the
North-South All- Star football game and later at Rice.
Sophie Wendeborn,
Nixon, basketball, 1980s. She later played basketball and
softball at Incarnate Word University.
Bryan Welnetz
United , Tennis , State semi finalist
tennis tournament champion with most wins in Laredo's
history. He is going to be attending The University of
Penn State (The Penn State).
Hal Winston,
Martin, football, golf, 1950s. He starred in golf at North
Texas State University.
Sabas Zapata,
St. Joseph Academy, 1960s. Football, basketball,
track and field. He ran at St. Edward’s University.
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