State Competition – Pueblo High School

Marching Band Finds Its Cadence

by Encina Herrera

On Nov. 9, the pride of the Pueblo marching band placed in the Top 25 in the State; that’s two consecutive years for this ranking!

State championships this year took place at Buckeye Union High School in Buckeye, Ariz. Last year, our marching Warriors placed 21^st out of 22, while this year students pushed hard and made it happen again; this time, however, they placed 23^rd out of 30.

“This year we scored eight points higher than last year,” said Mr. Jesus Jacquez, Pueblo’s band director and teacher. “It [placing 23^rd] may not seem like it, but it’s a way better rating [than last year’s placing].”

The score improvement shown by those eight points in just one year is a big step towards the success and rebuilding of our school’s music and band programs, according to Jacquez.

Our band placed higher than 25^th in sub-categories including general effect music/visual, music individual/ensemble, and visual individual/ensemble, even surpassing Sahuaro High School, whose band has historically ranked higher in previous competitions.

Jacquez said, “Beating Sahuaro in the sub-categories felt pretty good. I didn’t think we would beat them in some of the categories.”

The band program at Pueblo has grown tremendously over the past few years thanks to the commitment from Jacquez and his students.

Senior Polet Licudine, a drum major, said, “The band has really improved because everybody knows what they are doing this year. Last year, students didn’t have this inspiration and organization. Mr. Jacquez has really made us a better program.”

Another senior, Luciana Velarde, the band’s trumpet soloist, said, “The band program has grown immensely, and within a few months of this school year and gained more recognition. Mr. Jacquez believes very deeply in us.”

Boys’ Soccer Reined State Champs

By Kiana Gonzales

Pueblo Boys Soccer Arizona State Champions 2016 — Pueblo Boys Soccer Division IV Arizona State Champions 2016

On Saturday, February 13, Pueblo’s Boy Soccer Team won the Arizona State Championship game against Buckeye High School in Glendale, Arizona, a deserving accolade for a team that has been triumphant all season long—ending with a record of 10-3.

Junior Alex Urtuzuastegui (and the son of the team’s coach), who played center mid-fielder, said, “This championship game was, by far, the toughest game of the season. I think that some of us really didn’t expect Pueblo to win, so when we did, it was a great feeling.”

The final score of Pueblo’s triumphant game against Buckeye was 2-1.

Coach Francisco Urtuzuastegui said, “I’m really happy for the guys, and it’s inspiring for the incoming guys.”

Senior Efren Robles, who played striker-forward, said, “Everybody on the team did an awesome job for the whole season. Our team members were able to bond early on, and we never lost that cohesiveness. This was our team’s most important strength.”

Throughout the season, the team was challenged several times due to players staying eligible, due to their academics.

Coach Urtuzuastegui said this group of young men has been playing for several years together, so they weren’t challenged by not knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Unfortunately, 10 of this year’s team members are seniors, so he doesn’t have any predictions for next year’s season—he just hopes that the team members have the same amount of compassion and enthusiasm as this season.

“I believe that our team next year will have a lot of potential to earn the right to go to State,” Coach Urtuzuastegui said.

Alex Urtuzuastegui said, “I’m excited for next year. I’ll be a senior, and I’d love to be able to graduate from Pueblo with another state championship for our school and for our team.”

Senior Mario Rodriguez, a mid-fielder, said that part of the magic this year came from the coach’s leadership.

“He [Coach Urtuzuastegui] constantly motivated us all throughout the season,” Rodriguez said. “He said that he almost became a pro soccer player himself, so he definitely knows this sport better than anybody.”

Girls’ Soccer Remain Defiant, Push Themselves To State

By Yasmine Saenz

Despite all kinds of setbacks this season, Pueblo Magnet High School Girls’ Soccer Team ended the season with a very impressive record of 9-3. Throughout the season, this team had their sights on making it all the way to State. And, at last they did, on Tuesday, February 2.

However, the girls lost to Youngker High School in Buckeye, Arizona with a dramatic loss of 3-2.

Mr. Ricardo Hinds, who has coached the team for the past two years, said, “Even when players struggled with their grades, as well as all of the numerous injuries and drop-outs the team experienced, the team had a core of 12-13 players who committed to the program. It is always tough during the second half of the season with no substitutes, but we finished strongly.”

After the loss at State, Coach Hinds added, “I am very proud of all of them. They all contributed at some point to the success of this season.”

Although the team lost in the first round of State playoffs, the team still felt like overall champions. The team persevered despite a lot of adversity throughout the season. Many players quit and several became ineligible due to their academics.
“Even though we started off a little rough this season, the team really pulled together and stayed a family,” junior and co-captain Anna Verdugo said.

“Considering all of the obstacles we faced from the beginning of the season, going to State was truly a miracle. Having a great coach and committed players kept us together like glue, especially towards the end of the season.”

“In the end, we were still together,” said senior Yulissa Tarango, another one of the four captains this season. “Somehow we made the season work despite all of the challenges that we experienced.” She paused and added, “We became stronger as a result and learned from our weaknesses. Hopefully, some of the younger players will be a better team next year because of the mistakes we made this season.”

Hinds believes that the younger members on the team will be even stronger next year—and hopes for another opportunity to coach next season. He said that the team is capable of playing different systems, including possession and counter-attack—as well as a combination of both.

“I feel that this season was better than last year [when the team also earned a spot in the State playoffs],” Coach Hinds said, “and that’s a great trend. This is very important for the continuous success of the program, and I hope to have a lot of those girls back next year.

One of “those girls” Hinds is referring to is junior Avae Velasquez, who Coach Hinds said is this season’s most improved player.

“It’s amazing that Coach Hinds recognized my hard work and devotion to the team this season,” Velasquez said. “Thanks to my coach’s guidance and advice, I was able to improve quickly. He believed in me, and I wholeheartedly believe that made me a better player.”

Hinds is serious about being a soccer coach. He has been a coach for four years for the Arizona Olympic Development Program, as well as a coach staff instructor for the Arizona Youth Soccer Association, said the he plans to coach next year, and start earlier recruitment for girls to join the team. Also, Hinds is currently a Pima County Junior Soccer League Director of Coaching, and a member of the U.S. Soccer Federation.

Hinds, a native of Venezuela, has lived in Tucson for 25 years, and holds a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. He is currently a board member of the Lupus Foundation of Southern Arizona.

Pueblo Makes A Goal—A Winning One!

By Sandra Iniguez

This past year, Pueblo’s athletics department has consistently risen to challenges and reached awesome success. This has also been the scenario for Pueblo’s boys’ soccer team.

The boys’ team was able to successfully take the win in 10 out of 12 of their season games; as a result of this phenomenal record, the team will be headed to playoffs.

“It was a great season,” said Brayan Urias, a senior who is midfielder for Pueblo’s soccer team. “I think this team has been the best to play at Pueblo.”

On Saturday, February 6, the boys were able to take the win in their second round playoff game against NFL YET Academy with the final score of 7-2. This is the first time that Pueblo soccer has gotten this far with an opportunity to place in state.

“We’ve come a long way from where we started and we’ve definitely changed our mindset about how much effort we need to put in,” said David Greenwood, a senior who plays forward for the team.

Senior Erick Garcia, another midfielder for the boys’ soccer team, said, “Out of my four years playing here at Pueblo, this team is my favorite because most of us have played club soccer together, and that just adds to the dynamic chemistry we have out in the field.”

The boys’ next game is at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 10, at Tucson High School, where they will take on Glendale Prep.

“I hope we are able to bring another state banner into Pueblo’s Lever Gym,” added Garcia.

If the boys are able to win in the semifinals game against Glendale Prep, they will move on to the championship game and will represent Pueblo at the highest level.

“I am confident we can make it to State final,” said senior Mario Rodriguez, a midfielder on the team. “Throughout the entire season, everyone on the team has put in the effort to play to the best of their ability and represent Pueblo with pride.”

Mr. Francisco Urtuzuastegui, Pueblo’s boys’ soccer coach, much like the rest of Pueblo, is extremely excited and proud of how much the team has accomplished this season.

“The team consists of guys who are filled with so much enthusiasm [for soccer],” Urtuzuastegui said. “They have really committed themselves to their practices, and I’m extremely proud of them. I am confident that the boys can take State, which would be a great experience for them and to make it [their mark] at Pueblo. A State victory would also be a very personal victory that they will remember for the rest of their lives.”

Warriors Place 5th In State, 1st In Tucson; Prepare For Nationals In March

By Avae Velasquez

On January 23, the Warrior Cheer team competed for the first time in at least seven years at the AIA State Competition at Grand Canyon University, placing fifth in Division 2.

Before the Warriors left for Phoenix, they had a team conversation about what they wanted to happen.

“The biggest thing that we all agreed on was not regretting anything about our performance,” said Coach Frankie Grijalva.

Although the team did not come back as state champions, they were the only Tucson team to place in the top five in all three divisions.

“I know we have a strong team, we just had to prove it,” said senior Xamantha Williams. “Being top five in our state and number one in our city is such an awesome accomplishment.”

Grijalva said, “I knew that this team had it in them to make a name for our school and that is what they did and will continue doing as we get ready for Nationals in March held in Anaheim.”

The cheer team will be competing in Anaheim, California in mid-March at the UCA National competition. The Cheer Boosters set up a “GoFundMe” account in order for Pueblo students, faculty, staff and community members to donate money to the team so that will be able to afford the trip.

The link is: https://www.gofundme.com/pueblo

Williams said, “I’m leaving Pueblo happy to say that I was a part of the magic that helped our sports programs do so well this school year.”

Pueblo Cheer, Start Packing Your Bags for California!

By Avae Velazquez

The Warriors Cheer Team participated in two competitions in mid-November and qualified to compete at both the state and national levels, making Pueblo history in the process as the first time the club/sport has made it to Nationals in cheer.

On November 14, 2015 the Warriors traveled to Grand Canyon University for the AIA State Qualifier competition and placed 3rd among 24 teams.

Warrior Cheer at State Qualifiers finish 3rd out of 24.

“I knew my team had it in them. We dedicated so many hours to perfecting our routine that I would have been surprised if we hadn’t placed in the Top Three. I cannot wait to go back in January to represent my school,” said Senior Jovanna Jimenez.

The AIA State Competition will be held at Grand Canyon University on Saturday, January 23, 2016 and where the Warriors will compete for the state title.

Last month, on November 21, the team competed once again at Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear, AZ (west of Phoenix). They qualified to compete at Nationals which is held in Anaheim, CA from March 18-20, 2016.

“I am so proud to say my cheer squad will have the opportunity to represent Pueblo at the national level, being the first team of any sport in school history to do so,” said senior Lupita Ortiz.

The Cheer Boosters set up a “GoFundMe” account so Pueblo students, faculty, staff and community members could donate money so the team can make the trip. Pueblo cheer wants to challenge all teachers and staff members to donate ten dollars in support.

The link is: https://www.gofundme.com/pueblo