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Weekly Newspaper and Travel Guide
for Ward County, Trans Pecos, Big Bend of West Texas

Sports

January 21, 1999

Passmore takes MVP award


by Jim Lewallen
Center Todd Passmore walked away with both the Monahans News
Most Valuable Player Award and outstanding offensive
lineman honors at the annual Lobo Football Banquet. The
event was sponsored by the Lobo Booster Club. As Master of
Ceremonies, Lobo head coach, Larry Hanna, introduced the
honorees to a packed crowd Thursday night at the Ward County
Convention Center.

Commending his team for going all the way to the
semi-finals, Hanna introduced his five team captains, Wayne
Branham, Joel Najar, Crosby Swanson, Todd Passmore, and
Gabriel Ontiveros.

He then listed the All-District players, Brandon Lee (RB,
LB) 1st team, Chris Adams (TE) 1st team, Micha Tuxhorn (DB)
1st team, and Lanny Hayes (OT) 1st team. Other first team
selections were Aaron Swartzfager (DT), Roy Porras (DE), and
Raul Hinojos (LB).

Second team All-District players were Crosby Swanson (OL),
Wayne Branham (LB), and Junior Cordova (DB).

Making Honorable Mention Defensive team were Josh Swarb (DE)
Gabriel Ontiveros, Frank Vela (DB) and Joel Najar (LB).

Their offensive counterprats were Raul Hinojos (QB), Roy
Porras (RB), Todd Passmore (C), Ruben Garcia (OL), and
Robert Sanchez (OL).

The All Academic District team, those players who achieved a
grade point average of 90 or above, were Wayne Branham (LB),
Jarod Thomas (QB), Micah Tuxhorn (WR), Brandon Lee (LB,
Punter) J.T. Higgins (WB), Gabriel Ontiveros (LB), Lanny
Hayes (G), Crosby Swanson (T, LB), Josh Swarb (DE).

Lobo Roy Porras was the only Lobo to make the All Permian
Basin 1st team. All Permian Honorable Mentions were; Brandon
Lee, Joel Najar, Lanny Hayes, Chris Adams, Micah Tuxhorn.

All West Texas selections were Joel Najar, Chris Adams,
Crosby Swanson, Roy Porras.

Coach Paul Ables gave everybody some words of wisdom with a
lot of humor.

Coach David Burnett awarded Raul Hinojos the outstanding
offensive back. Doug Doege presented Micah Tuxhorn with the
outstanding receiver award.

The "Doug Burk" outstanding defensive back went to Jr.
Cordova by Ray Brown. Coach Chris Simpson handed the
fighting heart award to Wayne Branham. The "Todd Welch" Big
"E" award went to J.T. Higgins and the Senior Lobo Academic
Achievement award to Crosby Swanson.

The "Todd Welch" Memorial Scholarship was pesented to Lanny
Hayes and the "Bud Rollins" Memorial Scholarship to Gabriel
Ontiveros.

Managers Casey Wilson, Gerald Lopez, and Bryan McDaniel were
presented medals along with Student Trainers Eric Ellison,
Vicki Lopez, and Michael Parmer.

Coach Hanna thanked everyone from his wife, the bus drivers,
cheerleaders, the Booster Club, the trainers, managers, his
fellow Coaches, and the fans.

Narrated by Sheri Brown and Nancy Upchurch, the group was
further entertained with a slide presentation from the
team's outstanding season and the Varsity Cheerleaders led
the School Song.

Next year's Booster Club President will be Jackie Harkey.

Swim team eyes place in the sun


by Nathan Rogers
The sharp scent of chlorine and the cacophony of water
lapping against the sides of the pool fill the air at the
Multi-Purpose Complex swimming pool. About twenty
green-clad swimmers make lap after lap, preparing for the
big meet. This will be their chance to shine and show the
fruit of their hard labor over the past six months. These
swimmers have been waiting for this moment.

Second-year coach Doug Ward observes these athletes, ready
to assist and correct, proud of the effort the kids put into
their training. "Call us the 'TCU of the West,'" says Ward.
"We have the exact same workout as TCU, but cut into a
third." When Ward discovered he would be coaching the Green
Wave, he attended a clinic in Ft. Worth, given by TCU coach
Richard Seybesma. Seybesma was the first coach at Monahans
and won the State Swim Meet in 1977-1978 in the third year
of the program at Monahans. Ward integrated those college
workouts into one targeted at his swimmers.

The district meet will be January 29-30 in Pecos, and Ward
awaits anxiously. "This will be the last year in the
one-tier system," says Ward, "and it's about time for us to
be seperated." The seperation spoken of is the 4A and Under
division, a longtime dream of small-school coaches which
will be recognized for the first time next year. Since high
school swimming's inception, many, many. years ago, there
has been only one level of competition. This gives the edge
to 5A schools. simply because of the numbers. "This will be
more fair to the little guys. There are only nine 3A
programs in Texas and only two 2As, says Ward." The TISCA
meet that the team attended two weeks ago is a preview for
next year's small school state meet. The women placed 9 out
of 35 teams, an exceptional finish, and the guys finished 22
of 35, a testament to their small number.

Another aspect of the Green Wave swimming program often
taken for granted are the outstanding facilities. "Many
people don't realize just how lucky we are,"says Ward. "All
of the teams at our meet compliment us on the Complex and
our pool. We have facilities that rival those of 5A
schools." The level of support for these athletes is also
amazing. At the TISCA meet, there were 30 fans from
Monahans. Temple is more than 400 miles across the state!
"I think that these kids do well because their parents
support them," says Ward. "The adults' interest in the
sports keeps their kids excited.

Though Ward is only in his second year as swim coach, his is
a face of longevity in the coaching profession. He coached
football, basketball, and golf at the Junior High level for
many years. "The transition between the sports was
relatively easy, " says Ward. "A coach has to be a
motivator. That is the biggest aspect of coaching.
Technical knowledge of the sport is also critical. Although
I was never a swimmer, the one-on-one teaching sessions with
Coach Seybesma helped very much."

The swimmers themselves also feel secure with the system.
Freshman Autumn Ware explains the chemistry between the
athletes: "All of the team members are like a family. We
encourage each other. There is also a lot of incentive to
keep focused on our team goals." This season is definitely
far from over for this Green Wave.

Loboes out-serve Westerners


By Jim Lewallen
Jan. 15, the Lobo tennis players went up against the Lubbock
High Westerners, coached by Monahans graduate Mark Dodson
expecting a great battle. After 18 matches and 4« hours of
play, when the final tally was posted the Loboes won, 11
matches to 7.

The doubles matches were played first and after the six
teams were finished. Monahans held a 5 to 1 match lead.

Concerning the doubles play of his team, Coach Stephen Baber
said he was "very, very proud of the doubles aggressiveness"
he saw. "This is the one area where we have needed the most
improvement in our formations, tactics, and strategies."

The second portion of the dual matchup between the two
schools involved the singles play where the boys and girls
are matched up according to their ladder position on their
teams. The Lobo women won 5 of their 6 matchups to clinch
the day. A couple of freshman boys, Aashish Chopra and Ben
Hawkins, contributed wins to add to the match total for
Monahans.

Other players involved in wins for Monahanswere: Erin
Armstrong, Megan Shawn, Lecia Baker, Sandra Molinar, Melinda
Covensky, Casey Gatzki, Tarrah Oliver, Ashley Neace, Robert
Wilbur, and Drew Skinner.

It was evident on this day that this team has few weaknesses
and a lot of depth. Coach Baber believes this group of young
men and women have a competitive spirit that cannot be
conquered on the courts. In fact, most of this team has been
playing year-round for several years. Starting in the summer
with Black Gold Circuit tournaments, United States Tennis
Association events, and a Fall and Spring season of
interschool matches, these players play January through
December competitive events.

The Loboes now have a record in dual matches with other
schools of 11 wins and 3 losses. Among the 11 wins, 9 were
against larger 4-AAAA classification schools, and 2 were
against 5-AAAA schools. Truly, the 1999 Lobo tennis team is
a David defeating the larger Goliaths around the state Texas.

This week, the Loboes return to action Thursday, Jan. 21st
in Pecos and Saturday, Jan. 23rd in Andrews. Good luck to
the tennis team. March 6th and 7th will be Regional Team
Tennis action in Brownfield, and March 12th and 13th in Waco.

Monahans Vs. Lubbock High

Girls Doubles

Lecia Baker - Sandra Molinar defeated Roshi Mansouri - Shana
Basom 3-6, 6-3, 6-2

Erin Armstrong - Megan Shawn defeated Heather Garth -
Angelica Lopez 6-1, 6-2

Tarrah Oliver - Ashley Neace defeated Heather Wed - Erin
Hurd 6-2, 6-0

Girls Singles

Erin Armstrong defeated Roshi Mansouri 6-2, 6-2

Megan Shawn defeated Shana Basom 6-1, 6-2

Heather Garth defeated Sandra Molinar 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (7-1)

Melinda Covensky defeated Erin Hurd 6-2, 6-3

Casey Gatzki defeated Angelica Lopez 6-0, 6-0

Tarrah Oliver defeated Heather Wid 6-2, 6-3

Boys Doubles

Lee Horn - Regan Wright defeated Daniel Fuentes - Jeremy
Reyes 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-0)

Drew Skinner - Robert Wilbur defeated Brian Oller - Jay
Hegde 6-4, 7-5

Ben Hawkins - Aashis Chopra defeated J.C. Mojica - T.J. Hill
6-4, 6-1

Boys Singles

Jay Hegde defeated Robert Wilbur 6-3, 7-6, (8-6)

J.C. Mojica defeated Daniel Fuentes 6-2, 4-6, 6-3

Aashish Chopra defeated Lee Horn 6-3, 3-6, 6-1

Brian Oller defeated Drew Skinner 6-2, 6-3

T.J. Hill Defeated Jeremy Reyes 6-3, 6-3

Ben Hawkins defeated Regan Wright 6-4, 6-4.

Monahans girls sink Iraan


by Nathan Rogers
After handily overcoming a tough district match against the
Greenwood Rangerettes, the Loboes were once again ready to
hit the hardcourt and step up to the next challenge. A rare
non-district match, against Iraan's Bravettes, would be a
worthy test for the team.

Although the Pack is smack in the middle of their district
schedule, and sport a 4-1 record for their effort, they
would face Iraan at home Tuesday night. Despite the game's
unimportance toward postseason play, it was still a critical
contest.

Senior Amber Rogers said, "It is important for us to win
this game. We have momentum going into the second half of
the district schedule, and we want to keep it building with
a win." Accordingly, the women stepped up to the challenge.

Employing the usual starters, Lori Enriquez, Tracie Jasso,
Dedra Wessels, Shayla Terry, and Amanda Krone, the team took
control immediately following the opening tip. A missed
Iraan shot led to a Lobo rebound, and Enriquez drained one
from beyond the arc.

Another botched possession for the opponents led to a fast
break by the Pack. Enriquez stepped back, and made another
three, giving the Loboes a 6-0 lead and a decisive mental
edge.

A fierce defensive stand by the Loboes proved to be the
breaking point for the first quarter. After quick field
goals by Terry and Jasso, the team ended the first quarter
with a 10-0 lead.

The second period opened with Jasso banking an inbounds pass
off the glass, sending a roar through the stands and further
breaking the spirit of the Bravettes. The women extended
the lead to 15-0 before Iraan converted a three-point play.

The visitors finally began to work their offense, but the
Loboes would allow no comeback. The Pack maintained their
lead, and went into the locker room ahead, 23-11.

When halftime ended, the Bravettes were ready to attack.
They came out very aggressively, relying largely on presses
and quick offense. This strategy seemed to work at first,
and Iraan used turnovers to assist their plan. The Loboes
were held to only four points, and the period ended with the
Pack still leading, 27-21.

Shortly after the beginning of the final stanza, the game
was all but over. Two three-pointers, off of defensive
rebounds, by Enriquez sealed the lead for good.

The final minutes of the game were spent in a time
controlling offense by the Loboes. Jasso added one from
downtown, and two free-throws by Jeanette Franco ended the
game. The final score was 41-30.

Varsity Girls

January 19 vs. Iraan

QUARTER 1 2 3 4 F
Monahans 10 13 4 14 41
Iraan 0 11 10 9 30
Scoring: Points
Lori Enriquez 15
Tracie Jasso 12
Shayla Terry 6
Jeanette Franco 4
Dedra Wessels 2
Amber Rogers 2

Rangers outlast Loboes


by Lanny Hayes
After starting off district 1-1 with a hands down victory
over Presidio and a last minute loss to Kermit, the Loboes
dropped a tough loss to 4-3A power Midland Greenwood, 46-52
in overtime. The Greenwood Rangers took a 10-13 overall
record and a 1-1 district mark into the contest.

The Loboes and Rangers seemed evenly matched on paper, and
the same was true on the floor.

After fighting a brutal 32 minutes in the hostile
environment of Greenwood, neither team had a decisive
advantage, and an overtime period was required to break the
42-42 tie.

The Rangers used the home court advantage to help them pull
away and defeat the Loboes. Chris Adams led the Lobo attack
with 12 points. Jason Merrick pitched in 7, while Carlos
Suton and Brian Morris each added 6. Adams controlled the
boards all night with 17 rebounds.

After Friday's heartbreaking loss to Greenwood, the Loboes
immediately faced another challenge. For the second time in
three weeks, the Loboes went up against the undefeated mark
of New Mexico's class AA #1 team, Jal. .

The Loboes controlling the opening tip, but it was Jal that
put the first points on the board. Led by Jr. standout Emmy
Lujan, and Sr. Jacob Melancon, the Panthers frustrated the
Loboes with quick scores and a stifling zone defense.
Despite not playing at the top of their game, the Loboes
refused to allow Jal to pull too far ahead, and the Panthers
led by only two as the first quarter ended.

The story of the second quarter was superb defense by both
teams which kept the scoring low. Both teams were also
frustrated by a common inability to get a quality shot,
again credited to the defenses.

The source of Jal's frustration came from the Loboes change
from their typical man/zone to a full zone similar to Jal's,
which forced the Panthers to low percentage outside shots.
The theory worked, and Jal led by only three, at 21-18,
entering the third quarter.

The Loboes knew heading into the second half that they would
have to play nearly flawless ball in order to hand the
Panthers their first loss of the season.

The pack came out slow in the third quarter, as Jal
effectively focussed on the inside game provided by Carlos
Suton, Jason Merrick, and Chris Adams. Jal ran out 6
straight points to open up a nine point lead, but the Loboes
came back quick, relying on baseline shots provided by Micah
Tuxhorn and Wayne Branham.

The Loboes closed the gap to 33-29 with just over three
minutes remaining in the quarter. From there, the Loboes
went on a 10-0 run to take a 37-33 lead into the fourth
quarter.

Jal focused on a slower running offense, forcing the Loboes
into defensive mistakes or fouls. Using that strategy, the
Panthers retook the lead and expanded it to 42-37. The Mean
Green refused to die, and picked up the pace of the game,
and both teams were tied at 51 with just over 90 seconds
remaining in the contest.

Jal battled back with Lujan hitting a jump shot to give the
Panthers the lead. The Loboes took the ball down the court,
but a Lujan steal sealed the Loboes fate , and the pack
fell, 58-52.

Carlos Suton led the Loboes with 13 points,
while Wayne Branham pitched 12 into the cause. The Loboes
next district contest is Friday night in Alpine.

Scoring: Points
Carlos Suton 13
Wayne Branham 12
Brian Morris 8
Chris Adams 7
Jason Merrick 4
Micah Tuxhorn 4
Fabian Welch 4

Green wave takes 7th, 9th spots


by Coach Doug Ward
The Lobo's green wave swim team "streamlined" into 7th place
in the girls division and 9th in the boys in a meet that is
traditionally dominated by a 5-A schools. The group competed
in a field of 32 teams.

After Friday preliminaries, the top 16 swimmers advanced to
Saturday's Finals. The Loboes managed to advance 16 of 24
swimmers to Saturday's round.

Highlights of the meet for the Loboes, were Candice Teague's
tie for 1st place in the 50 free with Sr. Mara Garza from
San Angelo Central at 25.93. Autumn Ware's broke her own
record (1:14.80) in the 100 Breast during prelims and set a
new school record of 1:13.62.

Helping the girls amass their 135.50 points were:

200 Medley Relay - 9th Monahans 'B' Rebecca Pinson, Autumn
Ware, Alexis Lewallen, Fonda Moore 2:10.66

200 Free - 12th Moore, 2:19.40

200 I.M - 8th Marina Martin, 2:35.98

50 Free - 1st Candice Teague, 25.93

100 Fly - 14th Martin 1:15.48

100 Free - 13th Lindsay Fredericks, 1:01.85

200 Free Relay - 3rd Monahans 'A'; Fredericks, Martin,
Robertson, Teague, 1:51.80

100 Back - 3rd Teague, 1:03.80

100 Breast - 7th Ware, 1:14.58, 11th Fredericks, 1:20.15

400 Free Relay - 12th Monahans 'A' Jenny Waggoner, Lewallen,
Moore, Robertson. 4:28.72

Contributing to the boys 100 total points

200 Medley Relay - 9th Monahans 'B' Clayton Cunningham, Ryan
Sutter, Wes Everett, Ryan Kasper 2:09.41

50 Free - 13th Chris Cain 24.71

100 Free - 13th Sutter 55.55

200 Free Relay - 8th Monahans 'A' Joseph Naranjo, Everett,
Cunningham, Cain 1:43.88

100 Back - 3rd Sutter 1:00,66

100 Breast - 5th Cain 1:09.29

400 Free Relay - 7th Monahans 'B' Sutter, Everett,
Cunningham, Naranjo

"Placing this well against strong 5-A teams was a great
confidence booster going into the District Meet set for
Pecos on Jan. 29 & 30," said Coach Doug Ward. Teams making
up District 4 are Abilene, Wylie, Andrews, Big Spring, Ft.
Stockton, Monahans, Pecos, and Seminole.



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Phone 915-943-4313, FAX 915-943-4314
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