CUBIT COLUMN: Alonzo aims to bring state title to Lubbock High
This year has been many things to many people, unprecedented being a main theme. But before the world took a turn in late February, Lubbock High girls swimming and diving won the program’s first Class 5A state championship.
It’s been a while since the Westerners have hoisted such hardware, which made it that much more special. With one in the books at the beginning of the year, Westerners senior cross country runner Isaac Alonzo is hoping to add another to close out 2020.
Considering how Alonzo finished eighth at the Class 5A state meet last year and only one runner ahead of him is back, it’s not far from the realm of possibility. He’s had a solid career, which included winning every regular season race last year as a junior.
I remember watching one especially hard-earned win at the Lubbock ISD Invitational on Sept. 28, 2019 where Alonzo looked like he was about to finish second. An extra kick down the stretch put him ahead of the next runner, El Paso Eastlake’s Israel David, by 1.7 seconds. In a twist of events, David is the lone returning runner that was ahead of Alonzo at state.
Add on the fact that he did not feel the state meet was his best performance and Alonzo has all the motivation needed to turn in another strong outing that, hopefully, will end with a state championship.
“We’ve kind of joked about the attitude this year is always hungry, never satisfied,” Westerners coach Michael Sparks said of Alonzo. “Even though he was top 10 last year, he really wants to bring home a state title to Lubbock High. That’s been his driving factor this whole season.”
Sparks has made sure to emphasize to Alonzo, and the whole Westerners team, how important it is to seize every moment this year. Because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, there’s no telling when or how the season will end, despite their desires and goals.
It would appear Alonzo, who aspires to run cross country in college, has heeded his coach’s words. He’s continued his streak of winning regular season meets by pocketing two already, the latest being a three-mile race Saturday as part of the Plainview Invitational.
“He’s definitely one of the hardest-working kids that I’ve ever got to coach,” said Sparks, who was Monterey’s cross country while Alonzo was a freshman and sophomore at Lubbock High. “On top of the work ethic, he’s very talented. And not only is it God-given, but this kid is a freak in the weightroom for a cross country kid. Just motivates the team. That’s one of the biggest things about him is how he’s always encouraging all the kids.”
In recent times, Lubbock High has had its fair share of struggles in achieving and sustaining athletic success. But in Alonzo’s final season with the Westerners cross country team, it’s his hope to leave the program better than he found it.
The (somewhat) surprising seven
Class 1A through 4A teams have been playing football for four weeks, and only seven Lone Star Varsity teams have unblemished records.
Considering how Post finished the season last year by advancing to the Class 2A, Division I state championship game, and all the players returning, the Antelopes’ 4-0 start shouldn’t be a surprise. The tradition and past winning records from programs like Shallowater, Idalou, Farwell and Klondike make their undefeated marks believable, as well.
But the biggest surprises come from Roosevelt and Lockney, getting off to their best starts in quite a while.
For the Longhorns (3-0), reaching three wins would match the win total from over the past two seasons and the total victories from 2017. It’s also the program’s best start since 2012. A win this week would ensure the Longhorns enjoy their best start since 1996, years before anyone on the current roster was born. That season, the Longhorns went 12-1.
Lockney third-year coach Stacy Ward credits an older-and-wiser offensive line for allowing running backs like Anson Rendon to flourish. The group has helped Rendon accumulate 783 rushing yards on the season.
Also in his third season, Roosevelt coach Matt Landers has the Eagles right where he wants them: at 4-0 for the first time since 2014. That year, the squad went 5-0 for the best start since 2002.
The Eagles, too, depend on a strong run game, led by Jacob Torrez in addition to a stifling defense that has only given up only two points over the four-game span.
Lockney can add more momentum with three more games before District 5-2A, Division II play starts. Roosevelt will only have one more at Floydada and an open week before its District 4-3A, Division II opener at Stanton on Oct. 9.
Brownfield early district favorites
Just because a coach is an alumnus of a program doesn’t always guarantee success.
But in Mallorie Ellis’ case, that’s exactly what has happened when she returned home.
In her first year as Brownfield’s volleyball coach, the Wayland Baptist alumni has led the Lady Cubs to a program-best 12-1 start. They’ve also got a strong cast that includes twins Deja and Tia Johnson, Madison Hord and Meriah Gonzalez, who transferred in from Lubbock High.
With the last two non-district matches being played on Saturday, Brownfield will begin District 3-3A action at Friona. The Lady Cubs’ chances of vying for the district title are good with the amount of developed experience and talent on the roster.
There’s always Denver City, though.
The tradition-rich Fillies took the District 2-3A championship last season and have a strong chance at the title as well.
The two teams are set to face off on Sept. 29 in Denver City.
Alexis Cubit covers high school sports for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Her weekly high school column is set to run Tuesday’s throughout the football season. You can reach her at (806) 766-2166 or by email at acubit@lubbockonline.com.
