In anticipation of the 2026-27 high school sports season, the El Paso Times is excited to introduce an enhanced Athlete of the Week voting experience. The newly designed poll, which debuted on July 29, simplifies the process for readers to cast their votes for outstanding local athletes and teams, highlighting exceptional performances across various sports.
This week's focus is on achievements in volleyball and cross country from August 18-22, showcasing a group of talented nominees. Among the cross country standouts, Armando Jalil from Clint demonstrated remarkable speed, securing a top-10 finish at the Eastwood Invite and setting a new school record with a time of 15:38.35. Noah Loweree of Eastwood also excelled, finishing a strong second at the same event with a time of 14:39.95, while teammate Carlee Caraveo claimed second place in the girls' cross country with an 18:01.09 finish.
On the volleyball courts, several players delivered commanding performances. Raelyn Shaver of Pebble Hills was instrumental in her team's victory at the Del Valle Tournament, contributing 20 assists in the championship match and 31 assists with seven digs in another crucial game. Chapin's Zoeh Cereceres earned MVP honors at the Lubbock Cooper Tournament, where her team triumphed, and teammate Gianna Dominguez was also recognized on the All-Tournament team. Keira McRae from Canutillo and Genna Gandara of Eastlake similarly received All-Tournament selections at the Lubbock Cooper and Northwest ISD Tournaments, respectively. Natasha Hernandez of Coronado showcased her versatility with impressive stats across multiple matches, including 10 kills and 8 assists against El Paso High, while Jovane Estebane of Eastwood facilitated her team's win over El Dorado with 30 assists, 4 aces, and 4 digs.
Recognizing the dedication and hard work of these young athletes fosters a sense of community pride and encourages continued excellence in sports. Each vote cast is a testament to their efforts and an inspiration for future achievements, reinforcing the positive impact of athletic pursuits on individual growth and team spirit.