WRITER’S NOTE: STORY HAS BEEN UPDATED TO REFLECT CORRECTED STATS FOR WESLACO HIGH’S JULES GARCIA.
The Texas Girls Coaches Association announced its 2022 all-state softball selections earlier this week, with six RGV athletes earning the nod at the Class 6A level.
A pair of Weslaco High Panthers highlighted the list, with seniors Jules Garcia and Katia Reyes each earning honors. The Panthers were the lone team with more than one selection to the list.
Garcia, who earned District 32-6A’s offensive player of the year award, was a force at the plate for the Panthers during the regular season, tallying a team-high .447 batting average with five home runs. She upped her average during the postseason, going 15-of-30 at the plate for a .500 batting average, including 12 RBIs and four home runs.
Reyes, the district’s MVP, made her presence felt on both sides for Weslaco this season, ranking second on the team in batting average (.432) and RBIs (18) during the regular season, and serving as the team’s ace in the circle. The senior pitcher tallied 95 strikeouts and allowed just 12 hits in 57.1 innings pitched. Reyes added another 12 RBIs and 94 strikeouts during the Panthers’ regional finals run.
Harlingen South’s Karyme Martinez marked the third District 32-6A athlete to make the list. The junior third baseman earned District 32-6A first-team honors this season, helping guide the Hawks to a second-round appearance.
District 31-6A was also represented on the Class 6A list, with Edinburg North’s Kaylee O’Bryan, La Joya High’s Arlette Hernandez and PSJA North’s Jennaka Fabela each earning a spot.
O’Bryan appeared in 34 contests for the Cougars this season, going 42-of-87 at the plate for a .483 batting average. The senior shortstop added 31 RBIs and six home runs, and recorded a .870 fielding percentage.
Hernandez broke out in a big way as a freshman for the Coyotes, emerging as a force in the circle and at the plate. She recorded 323 strikeouts in 181.2 innings pitched, holding opponents to a .147 batting average. At the plate, the freshman sensation recorded a .500 batting average, recording 51 hits on 102 at bats, including 29 RBIs and six home runs.
Fabela rounded out the Valley’s all-state selections. The senior first baseman went 30-of-60 at the plate with 26 RBIs and four home runs this season, helping lead the Raiders to an undefeated District 31-6A crown.
