EDINBURG — Brownsville Pace’s Cristian Guajardo exemplified what it meant to be a student-athlete.
On the hardwood, the Schreiner-signee was one of the Valley’s most dominant players, averaging 17.3 points 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals to help guide the Vikings to a program-best 34-5 overall record and a District 32-5A title.
In the classroom, Guajardo shone just as bright, graduating as Brownsville Pace’s Class of 2022 valedictorian. From accumulating more than 2,000 career points to finishing at the top of his class, Guajardo did it all.
His success in both athletics and academics earned him the Tom Landry Award of Excellence during Wednesday’s 2022 All-Valley Sports Awards Banquet. The $1,500 scholarship is presented to a student-athlete who demonstrates outstanding achievements on and off the field.
Guajardo was one of several high school athletes, coaches, programs and teams honored Wednesday, with the Valley’s biggest high school stars gathering at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance for the ceremonies.
Former RGV high school standouts were also in attendance, including former MLB pitcher, World Series champion and Sharyland High alumnus Jaime Garcia, who served as the event’s keynote speaker.
A total of 35 awards were handed out during Wednesday’s events, recognizing the Valley’s top student-athletes, coaches, programs and teams for their success in their respective sports. Award winners were voted on by AIM Media’s three local newspapers — The Brownsville Herald, The Monitor and Valley Morning Star — and the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame.
McAllen Memorial was the night’s biggest winner, bringing home five awards, including top program honors. The Mustangs were voted Sub-6A Program of the Year after winning nine district titles, marking the second consecutive year that a McAllen ISD program won the award.
“I think McAllen ISD is trying to push the envelope,” McAllen Memorial athletic coordinator Moses Patterson said. “We’re trying to continue and do some things with our strength and conditioning programs. We just want success whether it’s in the classroom, on the field or in fine arts. Whatever the case might be, we want to be successful. We want to see our kids strive for greatness, and go out and do exceptional things. That’s what you’re going to get at McAllen ISD.”
The Mustangs added four individual awards during Wednesday’s ceremony, highlighted by girls wrestler of the year Serenity De La Garza and boys track and field athlete of the year Ayden Granados. De La Garza captured the gold in the 138-pound division at the UIL Class 5A state wrestling meet, and Granados nabbed a pair of silver medals in the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs at the UIL Class 5A state track meet.
Esteban Gonzalez and Dayan Rodriguez Vallejo rounded out the Mustangs’ award winners, taking home boys golfer of the year and boys swimmer of the year, respectively.
“I think the foundation has really been laid in our feeder schools, starting with our middle schools,” Patterson said. “The coaches there do a great job. We have a great group of kids coming in. The parents, the community, it all builds to the level of success we have at Memorial High School. From administration, coaches and teachers, it’s all about teamwork. But first and foremost, the kids do a phenomenal job.”
Harlingen South won 6A program of the year after capturing district titles in football, tennis, girls track and field, girls cross country and boys golf. The Hawks also added a pair of state champion powerlifters during the year.
While McAllen Memorial took home the most awards, PSJA High athletes swept the 6A boys and girls athlete of the year awards, with Viggo Lopez and Kaylah Hernandez earning the honors.
Lopez excelled on the gridiron, track and diamond for the Bears during his senior season. He finished with a district-leading 805 yards and nine touchdowns on 44 receptions on the gridiron, earning District 31-6A first-team honors. In track, Lopez was a part of PSJA High’s regional qualifying 4×200-meter relay team. He capped off his decorated senior year by helping lead the Bears to a 25-3-1 overall record on the diamond, capturing the District 31-6A title along the way. PSJA High reached as high as No. 9 in the Texas Baseball Coaches Association’s top 10 state poll, with Lopez playing a key role in its ascent.
Hernandez was a four-sport athlete during her senior year with the Bears, competing in volleyball, basketball, softball and track and field. She earned all-district honors in every sport, including District 31-6A MVP in basketball after averaging 20.2 points, 12.9 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game.
In the Sub-6A level, Raymondville’s Jayson Cantu and San Isidro’s Mia Alvarado nabbed boys and girls athlete of the year honors, respectively.
Cantu competed in five sports for the Bearkats this season, excelling in each one. He dominated the gridiron as Raymondville’s quarterback, tallying more than 2,000 yards of total offense and 20 touchdowns. The senior was equally dominant on the hardwood, averaging a double-double (16.6 ppg, 13.1 rpg) to guide the Bearkats to their first district title in 16 years. Cantu also advanced to the Region IV-4A golf tournament, earned District 32-4A Offensive Player of the Year honors in baseball and threw the discus for the track and field team.
Alvarado showcased her athleticism in three sports as a senior, competing in volleyball, basketball and track and field. She earned Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State honors after recording a team-high 431 kills this season en route to a regional semifinal appearance. She capped off her basketball career by averaging 13.1 points per game this season, finishing her career with 1,228 points. She also made her presence felt on the track, winning individual district titles in the long jump, triple jump, and 100- and 300-meter hurdles.
“I was kind of surprised to win this award if I’m being honest,” Alvarado said. “I’m going to say not many winners of this award have come from such a small school. It’s hard to get recognition. Being a part of this, it makes it more exciting getting these awards. I feel like I’m proving anyone can do it, even if you come from a small school.”
Brownsville Porter, Edcouch-Elsa and Los Fresnos also celebrated big nights, joining PSJA High with three award winners each, all tied for second-most on the evening. Sharyland Pioneer and McAllen High each had a pair of individuals earning honors.
For a full list of Wednesday’s award winners, visit RGVSports.com.
