by Moses Leos III
The 2012-2013 school year saw numerous firsts for many athletic teams at Lehman High.
From inspirational individual to team efforts, the Lehman fan base had plenty to cheer about over the past year.
Ten moments come to mind, which showcase how well Lehman did on the athletic spectrum.
1. Lobo boys’ soccer claims first team district title
A tremendous year of firsts for Lehman was capped off with the school’s first ever team district championship.
The Lehman boys’ soccer team, headed by 49-4A Coach of the Year Jay Sansom, plowed through the regular season and district play, completing a stellar 19-2-1 record and winning district with a mark of 11-1.
During the season the Lobos went on a tear, compiling a 15-0-1 mark in their first 16 games. In addition, the Lobos powered past rival Hays, sweeping the season series with the Rebels.
Leading the Lobo cause was a dichotomy of experience and youth. Senior forward Eli Guajardo led the charge on offense, while junior defenseman and captain Chris Piedra helmed the defensive backfield. Freshman forward Diego Garcia pushed forth the youth movement, scoring 22 goals and acquiring 16 assists.
The play of the tandem duo of Guajardo and Garcia garnered high praise from Sansom.
“Eli shared his accomplishments with Diego (Garcia); their complementary attack set records,” Sansom said. “They were out there to have fun playing the game.”
In postseason play, Lehman defeated Manor 3-2 in the bi-district round, then followed with a 3-1 victory over Reagan in Area. In the Area round, the Lobos put forth a valiant effort, but were felled by Cedar Park in a tough 1-0 loss.
“We did a good job this season,” Sansom said after the loss to Cedar Park. “We will learn from this loss – to take that little bit of bitterness into next year and see what we can build on.”
2. Lady Lobo soccer reaches Area round of the playoffs
Going into the 2013 season, Lady Lobo soccer head coach Nauri Garcia and his team were eager to surpass the 16-6 record posted in 2012.
Lehman eclipsed the mark in 2013, compiling a 17-5-2 record, 8-2-2 in District 49-4A play and making the furthest trip into the postseason in program history.
The Lady Lobos’ season was highlighted by the play of forwards Mariah Tamayo and Max Soto. The duo, along with midfielder Pressley Bailey, heralded a goal scoring machine. Defense was also a big key for the team, as the play of the back line helped spur numerous counter-attacks for the offense.
The Lehman/Hays soccer series once again proved to be a large highlight for the squad. Over a two game stretch, Hays and Lehman finished the season series with two hard fought draws.
As a result, both Lehman and Hays finished the season tied for second place in 49-4A. However, due to district tiebreakers, the Lady Lobos finished with the third place spot for the postseason.
In the bi-district round, Lehman overcame injuries and a 3-0 first-half deficit to Plugerville Connally to advance to the Area round.
While the Lady Lobos’ season ended in a 7-0 loss to State semifinalist Cedar Park, Garcia was ultimately proud of his team’s efforts.
“I am happy of what we accomplished this year, especially with losing Max (Soto) during the playoff run,” Garcia said. “What we did [against Connally], it was magical. This year was fun. To win a playoff game, to have your team represented in the Area, it’s magical. But we tasted that success and want more. Our girls want more.”
3. Lady Lobo basketball posts best season in program history
2013 proved to be a ground breaking year for Jamie Coy and her Lady Lobo basketball team. After having won 21 total games over the past two seasons, Coy and her squad finished with a stellar 18-18 mark, nearly attaining the first playoff berth in program history.
Led by a senior-laden lineup, the Lady Lobos stayed with the pack in 27-4A, contending for a playoff spot all season long.
Leading the team were seniors Ashley Stephens, Karsholyn Brown and Bria Cheatham. Lehman’s triumvirate of seniors played a large role in their success, providing strong play in the paint. With the help of Ariana Gallegos and Olivia Marzullo, the team also held a strong presence from the perimeter.
Lehman found themselves tied for fourth place in district at the end of the year, forcing a tiebreaker with Boerne Champion for the final playoff spot in 27-4A. Despite a tough two-point loss, the Lady Lobos understood the importance of their season.
“I’m proud of our season; it was one of the best seasons in girls’ team history,” Marzullo said, after the season ending loss to Champion. “It is difficult to know that we will not make the playoffs, but I am proud of how my teammates worked this year … how we all worked so hard to get to where we are now.”
4. Ariana Gallegos high jumps to State
Senior high jumper and basketball player Ariana Gallegos blazed a new path for Lady Lobo’s athletes in 2013.
In addition to a strong season on the hardwood, Gallegos overcame difficult weather conditions during the Area and Regional rounds to reach the UIL State Track and Field Meet in Austin.
Gallegos was the first high jumper to reach the State Meet in school history. She finished with a seventh place finish, reaching a height of 5 feet, 2 inches.
5. Lehman, Guajardo, Tamayo earn All-District MVP honors
Three Lobos stood out above the crowd in their respective sports, earning Overall Most Valuable Player in district play for the 2013 season.
Forwards Eli Guajardo and Mariah Tamayo completed a Lehman sweep of the 49-4A MVP awards in soccer. Both players were key components in the boys and girls soccer team’s success. Guajardo completed his final year in a Lehman uniform by scoring 26 goals on the season. Tamayo finished her junior season by scoring 11 goals; she also tied the team high of 13 assists on the year.
In baseball, the pitching prowess of Hunter Lehman helped him earn MVP status in 27-4A. Lehman, who will continue his pitching career at Blinn Junior College, compiled a 7-1 record in 2013 with 97 strikeouts. In addition, Lehman set the Lobos career strikeout record, punching out 201 batters, breaking Jacob Urea’s previous mark of 161.
6. Eight Lobos sign on to play at the next level
Excellence on the field and court helped eight Lobo and Lady Lobo athletes reach the next level of athletic competition.
These athletes signed on to play collegiately, ready to continue their roles as student-athletes at the NCAA and NJCAA level.
Signing on to continue their athletic education in 2013 were:
• Cruz Banda-Football (Weyland Baptist University)
• De’Andre Carson-Basketball (Texas A&M University-Commerce)
• Ariana Gallegos-Basketball (Crowder College-MO.)
• Eli Guajardo-Soccer (Huston Tillotson College)
• Kenny Higgins-Football (Blinn Junior College)
• Hunter Lehman-Baseball (Blinn Junior College)
• Alaina Martinez-Golf (Texas A&M University-Commerce)
• Ashley Stephens-Basketball (University of Texas-San Antonio)
7. Max Soto breaks Lady Lobo goal scoring record
Lehman Lady Lobo forward Max Soto has always had a penchant for finding the back of the net when she is on the pitch.
She proved how vast her expertise was in 2013, as she broke the career goal scoring record of 51, set by Dominique Jaquez in 2009. The historic feat occurred on Feb. 26, when the Lady Lobos crushed La Grange in a 10-0 demolition. Soto scored three goals on the night to give her a total of 54; Soto finished the season with goals 56 in total.
In addition, Soto tied Jaquez’ mark of 31 goals scored in one season.
8. Lady Lobo powerlifting makes history
Alyssa Gaitan, Kat Mohle, Natalie Guerra, Jessica Gonzalez and Blanca Villegas all participated in the highest ever finish by a Lobo athletic team in school history.
The squad placed second at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association (THSWPA) State Meet in mid-March.
All five qualified for state, with Gonzalez in the 105 lbs. weight class, Gaitan, 114 lbs.; Mohle and Villegas, 165 lbs.; and Guerra at 220 lbs. Gaitan and Guerra placed second in their class, with Gonzalez placing third, helping Lehman finish as runner-up to Port Lavaca Calhoun.
9. Lehman baseball sweeps Hays
The Lobo baseball team earned two of the most celebrated victories against rival Hays in 2013. Not only did the Lobos best their cross town rivals, they also extended their dominance over Hays, having won five of the last six meetings with the Rebels.
Lehman defeated Hays in a true pitching duel on March 26. The Lobos prevailed 2-1, setting the table for the second meeting on April 19.
Game two of the series saw Lehman rout the Rebels in an 8-0 shutout. Justin Penney earned the win, going seven innings, striking out nine and giving up only four hits. On offense, Lehman took a 3-0 lead into the fourth inning and never looked back. The win was particularly special for the senior class, as the Lobos notched the victory in front of a packed home crowd on Senior Night.
10. Lehman football outlasts Anderson
The first year under head coach Todd Raymond proved to be tough one for the Lobos. The squad finished 2013 with a 2-8 overall record, 1-6 mark in 27-4A district play.
Despite where they finished, one game showed just how much fight the Lobos held all year long.
The Lobos were locked in a defensive battle with Anderson in the third game of the season, with the Lobos eager to notch their first win in the Raymond era.
The Lobos sported a 9-7 lead at halftime, but turnovers and miscues allowed the Trojans to take a 14-9 lead late in the fourth quarter.
Yet late in the game, the Lobos had one final chance to turn the tide. After a lengthy drive down the field, Quarterback Josh Guerrero and wide receiver Tyler Dodero answered the call, as the two combined for a 17-yard reception in the back of the end zone in the final minute to win 15-14.
