TUCUMCARI - PUBLIC SCHOOLS

 Tuesday, February 11, 2025, the Diamond Back Booster club sponsored the 2025 senior night. This night recognized senior athletes participating in the winter sports (powerlift, wrestling, and basketball) during a district matchup against Estancia.

Senior Powerlifter Alex Buneo De La O. Alex is the son of Eulalia De La O and Ruben Bueno. He has been a Rattler powerlifter for 1 year. He has also participated in cross country for 3 years, track for 3 years and wrestling for 1 year. After graduation, Alex plans on studying to become a general practitioner. He would like to thank God, his mom and dad and Coach Clark. (Pictured with Eulalia De La O and Ruben Bueno)

Senior Powerlifter Isabel Morales. Isabel is the daughter of Leora Morales and was escorted by Victoria Saucedo. She has been a powerlifter for 2 years. She was also on the track and basketball team for 1 year. After high school, Isabel plans to attend college and then go into the military. Isabel would like to thank her mother for everything. (Pictured with Victoria Saucedo)

Senior Powerlifter MiKayla Klinger. Mikayla’s parents are Matt and Jan Klinger. She has been on the powerlifting team for 1 year. She has also been on the wrestling team for 4 years, the cross country team for 3 years and golf for 2 years. After high school, MiKayla will be attending NMSU in the fall and will complete her bachelor of Animal Science with an emphasis in Chemistry. Post-doctorate MiKayla plans to become a Poultry Veterinarian. She would like to thank her coaches and genuine teammates. (Pictured with Matt and Jan Klinger)

Senior Powerlfter Shane Jaggers. Shane was escorted by Brian Wilson. Shane has been a powerlifter for 1 year. He has also participated in football for 3 years, track for 3 years and baseball for 1 year. After graduation Shane plans to play football or go to Arizona for trade school. Shane would like to thank Coach Matt Benavidez for always coaching him to be his best and his grandpa for always encouraging him to chase his dreams and lifting his spirits when he felt like he had failed. (Pictured with Brian Wilson)Senior Powerlifter Dezirae Crespin. Dezirae’s parents are Mike and Anna Crespin. Dezirae has been in powerlifting for 2 years. After graduation, Dezirae plans to do phlebotomy and become rich and cool. She would like to thank her parents for loving and encouraging her to do her best, her powerlifting coaches for pushing her to do better and she is thankful that she gets to experience these last two years with the best coaches. (Pictured with Anna and Mike Crespin)

Senior Powerlifter Julian Flores. Julian was escorted by his mom Lizelle Knapp. Julian has been in powerlifting for 1 year. He has also been a member of the cross country team for 2 years, and track, baseball and wrestling for 1 year. After graduation, Julian plans to go on a mission for the LDS church for two years in El Salvador. After the mission, Julian plans to become a pilot at NMSU and later Embry Riddle in Prescott Arizona and wants to pursue a culinary career. He would like to thank his mom for being there & supporting him & his sister for being a good sister. (Pictured with Lizelle Knapp) 

 Senior Powerlifter Jaqueline Rodriguez. Jacqueline's parents are Andrea Rodriguez and Jose Rodriguez. Jaqueline has been a member of the Powerlifting team for 2 years. She has also been a Rattler cheerleader for 6 years and a member of the volleyball team for 1 year. After graduation, Jacqueline plans to go to Santa Fe to attend cosmetology school. Jacqueline would like to thank her mom and dad for supporting her in everything, her coaches for their dedication, effort and time they put into coaching everyone.  (Pictured with Jose and Andrea Rodriguez)

Senior Wrestler Diego Martinez. Diego is the son of Richard and Ashlee Martinez. He has been on the wrestling team for 2 years. He has also participated in football for 4 years, basketball for 2 years and track for 5 years. After high school, Diego plans to go to trade school in UTI for automotive and diesel mechanics. Diego would like to thank his parents for always believing in him and is also thankful for his coaches for always pushing him to do better. (Pictured with Richard and Ashlee Martinez)

Senior wrestler Josiah Sanchez. Josiah was escorted by Courtney Stevens. Josiah has been on the wrestling team for 3 years and has also participated in football for 2 years. After graduation, Josiah plans to move out of town and go into the construction field. Josiah would like to thank Coach Clark for helping him and guiding him. He would also like to his best friends Edward, Diego, and Dezirae. He would like to thank his team for working with him to help him get better and he hopes that it went both ways. And lastly he’d like to thank his family for always loving and supporting him even when he was a pain and being his biggest supporters. (Pictured with Courtney Stevens)

 Senior wrestler Joshua Pacheco. Joshua’s parents are Josh and Veronica Pacheco, Josh has been on the Rattler wrestling team for 4 years. He has also been a member of the football team for 2 years. After graduation, Josh plans to  wrestle at CSU Pueblo and pursue a degree in athletic training Josh would like to thank his mom and my dad for all the sacrifices and the long, all day tournaments He’s put you guys through even if it was just to wrestle 3 matches,  you both have always pushed him to be the best he can be and still continue to do so.  (Pictured with Veronica Pacheco)

Senior Basketball player Caylee Benavidez. Caylee’s parents are Patrick and Dana Benavidez. Caylee has been on the Lady Rattler Basketball team for 5 years. She has also been on the volleyball and track teams for 5 years, softball for 3 years and a member of NHS for 2 years. After graduation Caylee will be attending Lamar Community College to play volleyball and later transferring to a university to become a teacher and a coach. She would like to thank her grandparents for being her #1 fans, her godparents, uncles & aunts for always supporting her. Her boyfriend Jordan and all her friends for being there for her no matter what. Her sisters for being by her side through everything. Her mom for always having her back and lastly her dad for being the best basketball coach and sticking by all of the girls through the years, she knows they were hard to deal with. She loves you all. (Pictured with Patrick and Dana Benavidez)

 Senior Basketball player July Lafferty. July’s is the daughter of Jason and Theresa Lafferty. July has been on the Lady Rattler Basketball team for 5 years. She has also been in volleyball and track for 5 years, on the softball team for 2 years, National Honor Society for 3 years and 4H for 7 years. After graduation July plans on going into the field of aviation maintenance. July would like to thank her mom and dad for always believing in, supporting, helping and being proud of her to get her where she is and for always making sure one of you were there to watch her games no matter what when it was. You would always make the trips out of town no matter the day, time, or sport so someone was always there to cheer her on and always pointing out the good things even when she thought she played bad. Thank you to her grandparents (Chavez and Lafferty) for coming to all her games and encouraging her and cheering for her. Thank you to her Aunt Tracy for coaching her when she was little and always cheering for her. Thank you to Coach Pat for always believing we could win no matter who we were against and for sticking with us since biddy ball, middle school and now to our last year playing for you. Thank you to Coach Jazzy for always showing her how to improve her game. Thank you to her built in friend and brother for always being there for her whether it was making her laugh or annoying her. Thank you to her best friends Rachel, Ava, and Maky for always telling me to shoot while on the court and hanging out outside of school and sports. You have helped her to become a more outgoing person and taught her to enjoy the little things in life. Thank you to everyone else who got her where she is today and helping her become the person she is.  (Pictured with Logan Lafferty, Theresa Lafferty, Amaky Hernandez, Ava Roybal, Rachel Mardo, and Jason Lafferty)

 Senior Basketball player Aliyah Marez. Aliyah is the daughter of Jose Marez and Veronica Manley. She was escorted by her grandparents James and Lucy Kliensasser. Aliyah has been on the Lady Rattler Basketball team for 4 years and also a member of the of the volleyball team for 4 years, cheer team for 3 years, in gymnastics for 8 years and a member of NHS for 2 years. After graduation Aliyah plans on attending South Eastern Oklahoma State University and joining the cheer team. She plans to receive a bachelors degree in Elementary Education and a Masters in Clinical Therapy. Aliyah would like to thank her parents for always showing up for her and being her biggest cheerleaders. Her grandparents for always being the loudest in the crowd. Her brother and sister in law for being an ear for her to talk to. Her teammates for the never ending laughs and jokes. And lastly Coach Pat and Jazzy for the never ending support and guidance. She is forever grateful for the opportunities and support she received. She loves you all.  (Pictured with Lucy and James Kliensasser)

Senior Basketball player Aubrianna French. Aubrianna was escorted by Virginia Preciado and Lateresa Brake. Aubri has been on the Lady Rattler Basketball team for 3 years. She has also been on the Rattler track team for 3 years and a member of the national honor society for 2 years. After graduation, Aubri plans to study architecture or possibly get a business degree. Aubrianna would like to thank Mrs. Brake for staying by her side and supporting her. Lesa Salvador for the support, her teachers and coaches for believing in her, her friends for being there, and lastly the Marquez family for accepting her for her.  (Pictured with Virginia Preciado and Lateresa Brake)

 Senior basketball player Julian Griego. Julian is the son of Lenny and Chanel Griego. Julian has been on the Rattler basketball team for 4 years. He has also been on the Rattler football team for 4 years and the track team for 2 years. After high school Julian plans to commit to play college football or join the US Navy. Julian would like to thank his parents for everything they do for him and all their support. Also thank you to his coaches for supporting and coaching him. (Pictured with Chanel and Lenny Griego)

Senior basketball player Alijah Martinez. Alijah was escorted by Manuel Blea. Alijah has been on the Rattler Basketball team for 4 years. He has also been on the football team for 1 year and track team for 4 years. After graduation, Alijah wants to go to business school and obtain a degree. Alijah would like to thank Manuel for taking care of him, Coach Span for always believing in him and coaching him for four years. Coach Hittson for always pushing him to be better and joking with him. (Pictured with Manuel Blea)

Following the recognition of the winter sport seniors, the Lady Rattler basketball team pulled a 14 point lead (44-30) against the Lady Bears with the leading scorers being Cambree Benavidez (#23) with 18 points and Maaja Anaya (#22) with 10 points. The Varsity Rattlers pulled a 37 point lead (68-31) against the Bears with the two leading scorers being Luis Archuleta (#21) with 20 points and Daymion Urioste (#22) with 12 points . Congratulations to both teams for amazing district wins!