Former Empire standout Elysa Rodriguez was named Eastern New Mexico Female Athlete of the Year by the coaches and staff members of the school located in Portales.
According to a release:
Rodriguez led Eastern New Mexico softball to an overall record of 11-8 and a Lone Star Conference record of 5-1, placing the Hounds in second place in the LSC standings when the season was ended. She led the squad with a .409 batting average after starting in all 19 contests and posted the 10th highest amount of doubles in the LSC with seven on the year.
In conference games, Rodriguez posted a batting average of .500 in league play including a day in which she went 4-for-6 to help the Greyhounds secure a doubleheader sweep over arch-rival West Texas A&M. Those wins broke a 35 game losing streak for the Hounds against the Lady Buffs and solidified Eastern New Mexico as a contender in the LSC thanks to Rodriguez and a Hound offense that ranked fourth in the LSC with a team batting average of .313.
Rodriguez recorded nine multi-hit games throughout the season and failed to record a hit in just four out her 19 games played. She led the team with 19 runs from her leadoff spot in the batting order and crossed home plate at least once in 13 games this season.
In addition, Rodriguez was named to the Lone Star Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll along with Kianna Galindo (Sahuarita/Eastern New Mexico), Tatiana Ortiz-Hannah (Sahuarita/Western New Mexico), Hannah Semon (Ironwood Ridge/Texas A&M International), Hayden Zuniga (Walden Grove/Eastern New Mexico), Cameron Vega (Rincon/UHS/Western New Mexico), Wyatt Campos (Tucson/Western New Mexico), Grisdey Paredes-Alvarez (Sunnyside/Western New Mexico), Peyton Kendrick (Santa Rita/Western New Mexico), Sophia Rodriguez (Marana/Western New Mexico), Marina Garcia (Desert View/Western New Mexico), Wyatt Jefferies (Empire/Western New Mexico), Andrew Leonard (Cienega/Western New Mexico), Roberto Cota (Pueblo/Western New Mexico), Christine Ortega (Flowing Wells/Texas A&M International), Jokaira Paredes (Sunnyside/Eastern New Mexico) and Arianna Navarrete (St. Augustine/Cameron).
This list will be updated all year in an effort to recognize all former local prep stars who have gone on to achieve either academic and/or athletic awards at the next level. These are not high school awards but collegiate and professional recognitions. NOT CHAMPIONSHIPS. If you are aware of anything I have missed along the way, please let me know.
Portions from news release.
We have recognized 122 athletes so far this year. We recognized 195 athletes in 2019.
Kianna Galindo/Softball
Sahuarita/Eastern New Mexico
LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/14)
Tatiana Ortiz-Hannah/Volleyball
Sahuarita/Western New Mexico
LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/14)
Hannah Semon/Volleyball
Ironwood Ridge/Texas A&M International
LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/14)
Hayden Zuniga/Soccer
Walden Grove/Eastern New Mexico
LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/14)
Cameron Vega/Football
Rincon/UHS/Western New Mexico
LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/14)
Wyatt Campos/Football
Tucson/Western New Mexico
LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/14)
Grisdey Paredes-Alvarez/Softball
Sunnyside/Western New Mexico
LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/14)
Peyton Kendrick/Football
Santa Rita/Western New Mexico
LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/14)
Sophia Rodriguez/Cross Country
Marana/Western New Mexico
LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/14)
Marina Garcia/Softball
Desert View/Western New Mexico
LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/14)
Wyatt Jefferies/Football
Empire/Western New Mexico
LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/14)
Andrew Leonard/Basketball
Cienega/Western New Mexico
LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/14)
Roberto Cota/Cross Country
Pueblo/Western New Mexico
LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/14)
Christine Ortega/Basketball
Flowing Wells/Texas A&M International
LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/14)
Jokaira Paredes/Softball
Sunnyside/Eastern New Mexico
LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/14)
Arianna Navarrete/Volleyball
St. Augustine/Cameron
LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/14)
Elysa Rodriguez/Softball
Empire/Eastern New Mexico
Eastern New Mexico Athlete of the Year (4/15)
LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/14)
Savannah Shoffner/Soccer
Cienega/Oklahoma Baptist
GAC Academic All-Star (3/19)
Jessica Williams/Golf
Amphitheater/Embry-Riddle
Embry-Riddle Athlete of the Year (4/14)
WGCA All-American Scholar (7/1)
Alyza Flores/Golf
Cienega/NAU
WGCA All-American Scholar (7/1)
Jonathan Lerma/Baseball
Catalina/Central Lakes
MCAC Pitcher of the Week (3/11)
Yesenia Dominguez/Soccer
Tucson/Pima
1st Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
John Dormanen/Baseball
Ironwood Ridge/Pima
1st Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Michael Fonseca/Track
Cienega/Pima
1st Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Emma Franzone/Soccer
Sahuarita/Pima
1st Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Seti Valencia/Soccer
Sunnyside/Pima
1st Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Terrell Huggins/Baseball
Cienega/GateWay
1st Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Ian Ponce/Baseball
Salpointe/GateWay
1st Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Braden Boisvert/Baseball
Empire/Scottsdale
1st Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Jesus Carmona/Baseball
Salpointe/Rainy River
1st Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Kenneth Markel/Baseball
Mountain View/Rainy River
1st Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Efrain Cervantes/Baseball
Salpointe/South Mountain
1st Team NJCAA All-Academic (6/15)
Aaron Folsom/Baseball
Catalina/Rainey River
2nd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Steven Saunders/Baseball
Buena/Cochise
2nd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Patience Bartz/Soccer
Mountain View/Pima
2nd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Emma Blunk/Basketball
Desert Christian/Pima
2nd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Taylor Gutierrez/Soccer
Tucson/Pima
2nd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Alex Kelch/Baseball
Tucson/Pima
2nd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Juan Miranda/Cross Country/Track
Flowing Wells/Pima
2nd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Juan Quintana/Tennis
Palo Verde/Pima
2nd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Alejandra Ramirez/Soccer
Marana/Pima
2nd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Nikki Suckell/Soccer
Ironwood Ridge/Pima
2nd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Ryan Grabosch/Baseball
Salpointe/Central Arizona
2nd Team NJCAA All-Academic (6/25)
Esteban Ruelas/Baseball
Cienega/Rainy River
3rd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Nikya Orange/Basketball
Tanque Verde/Cochise
3rd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Brianna Guzman/Soccer
Douglas/Cochise
3rd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Zeleya Loop/Volleyball
Canyon del Oro/Yavapai
3rd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Herbie Arana/Basketball
Rio Rico/Pima
3rd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Daniel Durazo/Baseball
Salpointe/Pima
3rd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Avery Dylla/Track
Ironwood Ridge/Pima
3rd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Sammy Legleu/Basketball
Nogales/Pima
3rd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Adalberto “Max” Leon/Baseball
Sahuarita/Pima
3rd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Brianna Lewis/Soccer
Tucson/Pima
3rd Team NJCAA All-Academic (7/10)
Samuel Salisbury/Golf
Walden Grove/South Mountain
3rd Team NJCAA All-Academic (6/15)
Alec Larson/Baseball
Catalina Foothills/Eastern Arizona
3rd Team NJCAA All-Academic (6/2)
Solymar Navarro/Softball
Sahuarita/Eastern Arizona
3rd Team NJCAA All-Academic (6/2)
Adam Moraga/Baseball
Sunnyside/Science & Arts of Oklahoma
SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (7/1)
Jaide Stepter/Track
Canyon del Oro/USC
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade 32 (5/26)
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade 16 (6/4)
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade Final 8 (6/23)
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade Final 4 (6/23)
Milesplit Female Athlete of the Decade (6/28)
Allie Schadler/Track & Field
Rio Rico/Washington
Indoor T&F All-American 3000M (5/26)
Indoor T&F All-American Distance Med Relay (5/26)
Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll (6/8)
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade 32 (5/26)
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade 16 (6/4)
Michaela Crunkleton Wilson/Track
Salpointe/Stanford
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade 32 (5/26)
Alyssa Thompson/Track
Salpointe/Arizona
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade 32 (5/26)
Neysia Howard/Track
Tucson/Arizona
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade 32 (5/26)
Andy Trouard/Track
Salpointe/NAU
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade 32 (5/26)
Turner Washington/Track & Field
Canyon del Oro/ASU
Indoor T&F All-American Shot Put (5/26)
Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll (6/8)
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade 32 (5/26)
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade 16 (6/4)
Cameron Crandall/Track & Field
Canyon del Oro/Pima
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade 32 (5/26)
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade 16 (6/4)
Carlos Villarreal/Track & Field
Rio Rico/Arizona
Indoor T&F All-American Mile (5/26)
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade 32 (5/26)
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade 16 (5/26)
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade 8 (5/26)
Justice Summerset/Track & Field
Mountain View/Arizona
Indoor T&F All-American High Jump (5/26)
Milesplit Athlete of the Decade 32 (5/26)
Zachary Bohnenkamp/Football
Canyon del Oro/Northern State
NSIC All-Academic Team of Excellence (4/21)
NSIC Sanford Health Scholarship (6/26)
Maggie Morales/Softball
Canyon del Oro/Crookston
Minnesota Crookston All-Decade Team (6/16)
Robin Landrith/Softball
Ironwood Ridge/Baylor
Baylor All-Decade Team (4/11)
Tristan Peterson/Baseball
Canyon del Oro/New Mexico State
Perfect Game Preseason All-American (1/7)
Preseason All-WAC Team (2/5)
NMSU Scholar Athlete Award (5/13)
CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team (5/14)
CoSIDA Academic All-American First Team (6/11)
Nick Gonzales/Baseball
Cienega/New Mexico State
Perfect Game Preseason All-American (1/7)
NCAA Baseball Player of the Year Contender (1/15)
D1Baseball Preseason First Team All-American (1/21)
Preseason All-WAC Team (2/5)
Preseason WAC Player of the Year (2/5)
USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award Watch List (2/13)
WAC Hitter of the Week (2/16)
Collegiate Baseball National Player of the Week (2/17)
WAC Hitter of the Week (2/24)
CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team (5/14)
Collegiate Baseball First Team (5/26)
Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year (5/26)
CoSIDA Academic All-American Second Team (6/11)
Tairia Mims-Flowers/Softball
Salpointe/UCLA
ESPN All-Time Softball Team (6/10)
Briggs Duce/Golf
Buena/Arizona
GCAA D I West Region Team (4/16)
Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll (6/8)
Izzy Pacho/Softball
Ironwood Ridge/Arizona
CATS Academics Student-Athlete of the Month (3/4)
Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll (6/8)
Trevor Volpe/Track
Salpointe/Arizona
Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll (6/8)
Yannira Acuña/Softball
Salpointe/ASU
Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll (6/8)
Ellessa Bonstrom/Softball
Canyon del Oro/Utah
Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll (6/8)
Katie Faulk/Softball
Marana/Utah
Pac-12 Spring Academic Honor Roll (6/8)
Marco Dominguez/Wrestling
Ironwood Ridge/Coast Guard
Adm. Frank Ashton Leamy Award (5/26)
Zaylie Calderon/Softball
Mountain View/UTEP
UTEP Student-Athlete of the Week (3/11)
C-USA Honor Roll (5/8)
Heriberto Hernandez Jr./Volleyball
Desert View/Rosemont
Rosemont Rookie of the Year Finalist
Abram Carrasco/Basketball
Cholla/ Westmont College
GSAC Player of the Week (1/6)
GSAC Player of the Week (1/13)
GSAC All-Conference (3/3)
GSAC Player of the Year (3/3)
NAIA 1st Team All-American (3/26)
SBART Athlete of the Year (5/3)
Mikayla Edris/Soccer
Cienega/Northwestern Oklahoma State
GAC Academic All-Star (3/19)
Cody Treatch/Baseball
Mountain View/Southwestern College
KCAC Scholar Athlete (4/23)
Analeisa Bejarano/Softball
Tucson/Tabor College
KCAC Scholar Athlete (4/20)
Marlee Baxter/Softball
Rio Rico/Tabor College
KCAC Scholar Athlete (4/20)
Trevor Werbylo/Golf
Salpointe/Arizona
GCAA D I West Region Team (4/16)
GCAA D I All-American (4/24)
Jonathan Walters/Golf
Canyon del Oro/South Mountain
GCAA NJCAA D II All-American (4/20)
Jake Engel/Baseball
Ironwood Ridge/Dixie State
NCBW Preseason All-American (1/30)
RMAC Player of the Week (3/10)
Dixie Baseball MVP (4/22)
Roman Bravo-Young/Wrestling
Sunnyside/Penn State
NWCA First-Team All-American (4/17)
Dominick Parkhurst/Baseball
Sabino/Minot State
NSIC All-Academic honor (4/21)
Shae Bushey/Softball
Cienega/Colorado-Colorado Springs
RMAC All-Academic Team (4/15)
Lauren Wedman/Softball
Sahuaro/Colorado Mesa
RMAC All-Academic Team (4/15)
Kelly Decker/Softball
Ironwood Ridge/Fort Lewis
RMAC All-Academic Team (4/15)
Julia Roberts/Softball
Ironwood Ridge/Fort Lewis
RMAC All-Academic Team (4/15)
Carly Gray/Softball
Sabino/Regis
RMAC All-Academic Team (4/15)
Derek Daly/Baseball
Ironwood Ridge/Colorado School of Mines
RMAC All-Academic Team (4/15)
Brooks Fail/Swim
Catalina Foothills/Arizona
Pac-12 Swimmer of the Week (1/8)
Pac-12 Winter Academic Honor Roll (3/30)
CSCAA All-American 500, 1650, 200 Fly, 800 Free Relay (4/8)
Taylor Nations/Swim
Sabino/Arizona
Pac-12 Winter Academic Honor Roll (3/30)
Sam Beskind/Basketball
Catalina Foothills/Stanford
Pac-12 Winter Academic Honor Roll (3/30)
Alexandra Quihuis/Golf
Salpointe/NM State
WAC Golfer of the Week (3/11)
Bryce Cotton/Basketball
Palo Verde/Perth Wildcats
National Basketball League MVP (2/16)
All-NBL First Team (2/16)
Grand Final MVP (3/18)
Noelle Kerr/Softball
Empire/Puget Sound
Northwest Conference Pitcher of the Week (3/9)
Logger of the Week (3/9)
Nic Conway/Softball
Catalina Foothills/Yale
Ivy League Honor Roll (2/24)
Ivy League Honor Roll (3/9)
Abby Doughty/Softball
Cienega/Utah Valley
Preseason All-WAC Team (2/4)
WAC Hitter of the Week (3/9)
Lesly Cazares/Softball
Desert View/Pima
ACCAC Player of the Week (3/3)
Lual Magot/Basketball
Cholla/McPherson College
KCAC Offensive Player of the Week (1/20)
KCAC All-Conference (2/26)
Alyssa Perez/Basketball
Marana/Pima
ACCAC Player of the Week (2/4)
ACCAC Player of the Week (2/19)
ACCAC Second Team (2/26)
All Region D2 (2/26)
Reece LaFaye/Track
Marana/Weber State
Weber State Athlete of the Decade (2/17)
Nicole Ley/Softball
Rio Rico/Central Arizona
ACCAC Player of the Week (2/19)
Angel Ochoa/Baseball
Canyon del Oro/Pima
ACCAC Player of the Week (2/19)
Scott Bockisch/Swim
Catalina Foothills/Marymount
AEC First Team 200 Medley Relay (2/16)
AEC 2nd Team 100 Fly (2/16)
AEC 2nd Team 200 Relay (2/16)
AEC 2nd Team 400 Relay (2/16)
AEC 2nd Team 400 Medley Relay (2/16)
Nick Estrella/Baseball
Ironwood Ridge/Azusa Pacific
PacWest Player of the Week (2/17)
Reece Nilsen/Golf
Catalina Foothills/Grand Canyon
WAC Men’s Golfer of the Week (4/12)
Bailey Thompson/Softball
Canyon del Oro/Seattle
Preseason All-WAC Team (2/4)
Brianna Aguilar/Softball
Salpointe/Grand Canyon
Preseason All-WAC Team (2/4)
Kevin Jimenez/Baseball
Nogales/New Mexico State
Preseason All-WAC Team (2/5)
Spencer Packard/Baseball
Canyon del Oro/Campbell
Big South Preseason All-Conference (1/27)
Perfect Game Preseason Big South Player of the Year (1/27)
Mandy Lorenson/Softball
Ironwood Ridge/Fort Lewis
RMAC Players to Watch (1/27)
Luis Aguilar/Football
Nogales/NAU
Athlon Sports FCS Postseason All-American (1/15)
Alex Robles/Baseball
Tucson/Naranjeros de Hermosillo
Liga Mexicana del Pacifico Rookie of the Year (1/8)
Jamee Swan/Basketball
Marana/Colorado
Colorado All-Decade Team (1/2)
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