Sports – Page 7 – The Bridge News

5May

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Men's Basketball, Sports

Men’s basketball finishes season 1-13

Men's basketball finishes season 1-13 By Cesar OldhamBridge contributing writerPublished Wednesday, May 5, 2021 After a difficult season, the men's Dustdevils basketball team limped away with only one Lone Star Conference win. The success was a 81-68 win against Oklahoma Christian University. Andrea Arias | Submitted Tre Thomas drives the ball in his game against Angelo State University on Feb. 26. Men's basketball coach Rodney “Mac” McConnell joined Texas A&M International University in March 2020 as the seventh coach for the team in Dustdevil history. “We showed glimpses of what we can be and [can] build on for the future,” McConnell said. “No head coach wants to win only one game in a year, no matter the circumstances. Therefore, I would say that this year's team had...

5May

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Men's Golf, Sports, Women's Golf

Golf team works to keep safe

Golf team works to keep safe By Eric PeraltaBridge contributing writerPublished Wednesday, May 5, 2021 As pandemic concerns continue, the TAMIU golf team follows policies to keep its athletes safe. Redshirt sophomore Yuliana Yapur, of Morelos, Mexico, plays on the Texas A&M International University women's golf team. The team is led by coach Rudy Gonzalez, who oversees both golf teams. courtesy godustdevils.comGolf coach Rudy Gonzalez “For our practice, we now are separated from the men's team,” Yapur said. “This means that while the men's team goes out to play nine [or] 18 holes, the women stay, putting or at the range hitting balls and vice versa. “For competitions, we used to play with other schools in the same group. Now we play our rounds of 18 or 36 holes with o...

22Apr

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Baseball, Sports

Dustdevils swept by Buffs

Dustdevils swept by Buffs By David Gomez Jr.Editor-in-chiefPublished Thursday, April 22, 2021 The Dustdevils baseball team fell to the Buffs during Sunday’s cool, overcast game. The Buffs held their No. 5 spot after taking the lead early on during the afternoon game at Texas A&M International University’s Jorge Haynes Field. T. Rob Brown | BridgeTAMIU senior outfielder Phillip Sanchez heads for home before scoring a run against West Texas A&M University on Sunday afternoon, April 18, 2021, at Jorge Haynes Field. TAMIU lost 9-4. By the dugouts, remnants of flower seeds covered the nearby floor on both sides of the field. Hollering distractions, and support, resounded from both teams since fans are still not allowed on the bleachers. Business started to pick up duri...

9Apr

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Features, On Campus, Softball, Sports

Making Dustdevil history

Making Dustdevil history By Jhoanna AngelesBridge Staff InternPublished Friday, April 9, 2021 After pitching a perfect game, one Dustdevils softball pitcher was named Wilson/NFCA National Pitcher of the Week. Sophomore Erika Cortez went on the field with the intention to help her team win the game against West Texas’ Lady Buffs. In that, she succeeded perfectly and made Texas A&M International University athletics history. “I was just trying to take it inning-by-inning, and go in there calmly,” Cortez said. “I wasn't trying to overpower myself. I was just trying to get my team ahead so we [could] score and win this game and I just took it inning-by-inning.” David Garcia | BridgeTAMIU pitcher Erika Cortez warms up before taking the field recently. She said she left eve...

Putting the backswing into tennis court construction

3Apr

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On Campus, Sports

Putting the backswing into tennis court construction

Putting the backswing into tennis court construction By Leslie Villafana MartinezBridge contributing writerPublished Saturday, April 3, 2021 The construction of 21 tennis courts defies the COVID-19 pandemic and cold temperatures to bring back outdoor activities and sports for summer 2022. In a joint effort, Texas A&M International University and the City of Laredo create a sports complex on campus, which highlights 21 new tennis courts. Senior Director of Campus Safety and Planning Trevor Liddle said the Laredo Engineering Department and other professional organizations oversee the design and construction of the tennis facility, while TAMIU provided the land. “This is an exciting collaboration between TAMIU and the city to bring access to a world-class tennis facility th...

Freshman soccer player takes conference honor

28Mar

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Sports, Women's Soccer

Freshman soccer player takes conference honor

Freshman soccer player takes conference honor From Staff Reportswith content from David J. Garcia Jr. Bridge Staff InternPublished Sunday, March 28, 2021 Despite her status as a newer member of the team, one Dustdevil freshman received conference recognition in part due to her nature as a team player. Achieving recognition from the Lone Star Conference, Texas A&M International University women’s soccer goalkeeper Alicia Huerta, of Laredo, said she was taken by surprise when it was announced. In her first collegiate start, she received the LSC Goalkeeper of the Week honor. “It took me by surprise,” she recalled. “It has always been one of my goals to be recognized. It was especially shocking because it was my first debut. Overall, I’m very grateful because the team and the c...

12Feb

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Men's Basketball, Sports

A court 7,000 miles long

A court 7,000 miles long By Cesar NeiraBridge Contributing WriterPublished Friday, Feb. 12, 2021 Being a student athlete poses the challenge of having to balance studies with athletic responsibilities. Junior Texas A&M International University men’s basketball forward Tom Higgins does all this while being more than 7,000 miles from home. Higgins, a criminal justice major, played basketball for most of his life. Born in Te Awamutu, New Zealand, he said his childhood was “great.” “You can go to the beach, mountains, cities in a heartbeat,” Higgins said. “I was lucky enough to experience most aspects of life.” Courtesy TAMIU Sports InformationTAMIU forward Tom Higgins When the opportunity to play for TAMIU came, he and his family grew excited. “It was my goal to pla...

TAMIU women’s cross country makes history

16Nov

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Men's Cross Country, Sports, Women's Cross Country

TAMIU women’s cross country makes history

TAMIU women’s cross country makes history By Bella E. ContrerasBridge contributing writerPublished Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 For the first time, a TAMIU cross country team competed on the national level as two members of the women’s team and one of the men placed in the top 25. During the 2020 Division II Cross Country All-National Invitational women’s 6K race in Lubbock on Nov. 14, Texas A&M International University senior Abril Escamilla led the Dustdevils at 18th of the 95 runners with 23:15.7. Sophomore Faith Kiprotich placed 20th with a time of 23:21.4. Two other women also competed: senior Karla Resendez, 40th, and freshman Julissa Garza, 73rd. For the men’s 10K race, freshman Gideon Kipon took 19th place and junior Nicholas Martinez took 55th. This was a historical...

26Oct

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Men's Basketball, Sports, Women's Basketball

Basketball in the time of COVID-19

Basketball in the time of COVID-19 By Troi LucasBridge contributing writerPublished Monday, Oct. 26, 2020 Uncertainty looms across the Dustdevils basketball court this season. Texas A&M International University athletes were previously told their season will be postponed until Spring 2021. Basketball players, in particular, now deal with a longer pre-season and more protocols due to the effects of COVID-19. The athletes were allowed back on campus on Aug. 24. A select few decided to “opt out” this season. Some chose to focus on school, while others felt uncomfortable with the idea of playing during the pandemic. Men’s sophomore guard Darian Gibson said he finds it difficult to put in the necessary extra work on his own because of the required precautions. “[It’s had a...

26Oct

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Baseball, Sports

Dustdevils baseball rolls with changes

Dustdevils baseball rolls with changes By Nadia HerreraBridge contributing writerPublished Monday, Oct. 26, 2020 It's been a long and winding road for coach Kevin Griffin and the TAMIU baseball team. Due to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the Dustdevils veered in a different direction as they return and prepare for the upcoming season. Last season was cut short after playing only 22 of their 50 scheduled games. "It was frustrating,” Griffin recalls of the spring events. "It happened to everyone, not just us. Everybody got shut down.” He said many sophomores were big contributors to the team and needed the experience to "breakout" and develop but, "It slowed down for those guys.” In terms of eligibility, the NCAA granted players an extra year due to the pandemic and some w...

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