Serving the High Plains

Athletic director declares sports are returning

Tucumcari High School athletic director Wayne Ferguson said during the Diamondback Booster Club’s virtual athletic banquet that sports would be played during the upcoming school year, contrary to some rumors.

With the annual banquet at the Tucumcari Convention Center canceled because the coronavirus pandemic, the club compiled an 87-minute video from the school’s coaches that was uploaded Friday onto YouTube that served as a virtual banquet. The video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/-XEGgo0e3Xs .

During his opening remarks, Ferguson acknowledged the “trying times” caused by the virus that “has taken away so much from our kids, our community and, actually, the world.”

He said he recently met online with other athletic directors and officials from the New Mexico Activities Association.

“I want to assure everybody we’re going to have sports this next school year,” Ferguson said. “What those sports will look like and when they’ll start is unknown right now. They may not start at the normal time, the season may not be as long, or they may not play as many games as what we generally do. But we will have sports in some form or fashion. And it will be all sports — not just a few sports.”

Ferguson also dismissed rumors there would be no sports or there would be games but no fans in the bleachers. He said athletes would be allowed to begin workouts with restrictions June 15, which also was confirmed by the NMAA last week.

“We’ll be back to normal as soon as possible,” he said. “What that new normal will be, who knows?”

Ferguson said he was saddened by the coronavirus-related cancellation of track and field, baseball and softball during the spring, especially for seniors who chose to concentrate only one sport during that time.

“Let what we’re going through be a lesson for everyone involved,” he said. “You kids need to do as many sports, as many activities, as you can because you do not get these times back. Don’t hang your hat on that to miss out on the chance to make lifelong memories. … We are never guaranteed tomorrow.”

Joe Martinez and Ashley Shipley were named Male and Female Athletes of the Year, respectively. Martinez competed on the wrestling — finishing second during his junior year — and cross-country teams, and Shipley was a three-time all-state basketball player and also ran cross country.

These coaches gave summaries for the following sports:

• Volleyball, Dana Benavidez. The team qualified for the state tournament for the first time in 30 years. Awards included: Hitter of the Year, Jasmine Jones; Setter of the Year, Reece Goldston; Blocker of the Year, Aaliyah Brown; Passer of the Year; Alexus Lafferty; Server of the Year, Jones; and Most Improved, Tianna Peterson.

• Girls basketball, Gary Hittson. The team made it to the state quarterfinals despite two season-ending injuries. Ashley Shipley won awards for the most points, rebounds, steals, assists and highest free-th≤µrow percentage. Jasmines Jones totaled the most blocks. Most Improved was Chantal Gardea.

• Boys basketball, John Span. Jesus Ramos was honored for having the most points, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks. He also shared the award for most charging fouls taken, with Andrew Henderson-Clark.

• Football, Wayne Ferguson.

• Cheerleading, Megan McKinney.

• Cross-country, Gary Hittson.

• Wrestling, Eddie Encinias.

• Baseball, Dennis Dysart.

• Track and field, Wayne Ferguson.

• Softball, CJ Oglesby.

• Golf, Dana Benavidez.

Seniors who were honored were Loren Chavez, Jeremiah Cordova, Erin Encinias, Brittany Benton, Ryan Birch, Aaliyah Brown, Andrew Casteel, Lizet Castillo, Briceida Enriquez, Nathan Estergo, Chantal Gardea, Gabriella Gray, Robbie Hartmann, Christian Hernandez, Christian Hernandez, Jayden Jimenez, Jasmine Jones, TJ Lampkin, Emily Lopez, A’Leaya Lucero, Alexander Lujan, Emmitt Martinez, Joe Martinez, Kayleagh Morris, Alyssa Oglesby, Tianna Peterson, Alejandra Placencia, Andrew Sandoval, Aubrey Sandoval, Camden Sandoval, Vicente Sandoval, Aislynn Shiplet, Ashley Shipley, Secilee Skinner, Julian Vargas and Erica Vasquez.